Greek PM urges Burnham to return Elgin Marbles permanently

The Greek prime minister has called on Andy Burnham to find the "political will" to send the Parthenon sculptures back to Greece.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis wrote in the Guardian that returning the classical treasures, also known as the Elgin Marbles in the UK, would "send a powerful signal" but would require "courage".

The sculptures have been on display in the British Museum since the 19th Century, though Greece has long disputed the legality of their removal.

Mitsotakis and his government have previously held talks with the British Museum about the sculptures, but the two have so far failed to reach an agreement, with Greek authorities seeking their permanent return.

The Greek PM used the recent fanfare generated by the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum to restate his country's claim to the Elgin Marbles.