The row could be raised by the Greek prime minister when he meets Sir Keir Starmer on Tuesday.

Sir Keir Starmer ruled out discussing a return of the Elgin Marbles to Greece in his meeting with his Greek counterpart on Tuesday despite claims from Athens that progress had been made on the issue.

According to official sources cited by The Guardian, discussions between Greece's Foreign Ministry and the chairman of the British Museum, George Osborne, are nearing a potential deal to return the sculptures to Athens. "The mood music has completely changed," said one source close to the negotiations.