In a blistering response to the escalating Parthenon Marbles dispute, the Greek newspaper 'Free Hour' has launched a scathing attack on Chancellor Rishi Sunak, labelling the Prime Minister of England 'mouse-faced' in a headline that pulls no punches.
"F*** you B*****d!" the headline screams. "This is the only way to answer the insult by the mouse-faced Prime Minister of England and mouthpiece of "Goldman Sachs" to the greatness of ancient Greek culture."
The controversy erupted when Sunak abruptly cancelled talks with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, accusing him of breaking promises related to the campaign for the return of the historic artefacts. The diplomatic spat occurred after Mitsotakis compared the marbles' situation to the Mona Lisa being cut in half and displayed separately during a BBC interview on Sunday.
In the wake of Sunak's cancellation, 'Free Hour,' known for its provocative stance, spared no words in expressing its disdain, featuring a headline that explicitly criticised the Chancellor. The Greek newspaper's bold language echoes the heightened tensions surrounding the longstanding demand for the return of the Elgin Marbles, removed by Lord Elgin from Athens in the 19th century.
Despite the verbal clashes, George Osborne, former Conservative finance minister and current chair of the British Museum, entered the fray, suggesting that Sunak's abrupt move may be linked to broader political dynamics rather than the marbles themselves. Speaking on his podcast "Political Currency," Osborne questioned whether Sunak's actions were merely a "hissy fit" in response to the Conservative Party's electoral prospects in an attempt to score “cheap points” over the marbles, driven by frustration at power “draining away” from No. 10 Downing Street as Labour leads in the polls.
“Is it just petulance? Is it just having a bit of a hissy fit? And, I think if that’s the reason, it’s not because Mitsotakis was going to raise the Elgin Marbles. It’s because he had met [Labour leader] Keir Starmer the day before,” Osborne asked of Sunak on his podcast.
Osborne opined that the diplomatic row wouldn't hinder ongoing talks about the future of the Parthenon Sculptures. He brushed off the impact on discussions with Greece over the marbles, expressing the British Museum's commitment to exploring an agreement, including potential shared custody between Athens and London, “whereby they spend part of their time in Athens and part of their time in London — and we have Greek treasures coming our way in return. And that is, I think, something worth exploring.”
He said of the diplomatic spat: “To my mind as chair of the British Museum it is all the more reason to press on with our efforts to try and reach an agreement with the Greeks.”
Read also The Ancient, Sacred Olive Tree of the Acropolis that Never Dies by Natalie Martin
