‘Maybe we’ll have the islands back!’ Elgin Marbles row twist as Greece reminded of holiday hotspot that ‘belonged to Britain’

"If the Greeks aren't going to respect the arrangements that have been made for the Elgin Marbles, maybe we should ask them not to accept the 1864 treaty either," Ellis blasted as he discussed the potential return.

Speaking to GB News, the Attorney General said: "The House of Commons in about 1820 looked into this and they determined that they were properly taken by Lord Elgin with permission.

"They looked at this 200 years ago. I didn't even know there were House of Commons committees. But it goes to show you in those days, there was and that's what they decided.

"We have to respect this, any lawyer would say this. You have to respect international agreements and legal documents.

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"There was an agreement in 1864. We, the British, had the Ionian Islands. They were British sovereign islands.

"Just to the west of Greece. They were marvellous islands. They were British territory from 1815 through until 1864.

"Queen Victoria gifted them to the King of Greece in 1864 by a treaty called the Treaty of London of 1864. Now we're going to respect that treaty, aren't we?

"If the Greeks aren't going to respect the arrangements that have been made for the Elgin Marbles, maybe we should ask them not to accept the 1864 treaty either. And we'll have the islands back."

His provocative comments come as talks between the British Museum and Greece over the ancient sculptures appear to be progressing.

The remarks follow Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's meeting with Sir Keir Starmer in London yesterday, where the contentious issue of the marbles was reportedly discussed.

Downing Street has indicated Starmer would not stand in the way of a deal to return the Elgin Marbles to Greece.

No 10 said the Parthenon sculptures' future is "entirely" in the hands of the British Museum, amid reports of progressing negotiations with the Greek government.

The British Museum is legally forbidden from giving away its artefacts, and the Government has "no plans to change the law that would permit a permanent move", according to the Prime Minister's official spokesman.

A cultural partnership could see the sculptures returned to Athens in exchange for exhibitions of famous artworks.

Discussions about a "Parthenon Partnership" are "ongoing and constructive", the museum said.