You can tell a general election is in the offing when sculptures made almost 500 years before the birth of Christ become the subject of a very public diplomatic snub in November 2023.
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No 10 is embroiled in a deepening row with Athens after cancelling a meeting between Rishi Sunak and the Greek PM.
Downing Street believed it had assurances that Kyriakos Mitsotakis would not speak publicly about the Parthenon Sculptures - also known as the Elgin Marbles - on his UK visit.
A Greek source has denied this.
On Sunday, Greece's leader told the BBC that having some treasures in London and others in Athens was like cutting the Mona Lisa in half.
No 10 then scrapped the PM's meeting with Mr Mitsotakis at late notice.
Labour has described the row as "pathetic".
A Greek government source disputed there had been any assurances given to the UK about Mr Mitsotakis talking about the marbles while he was in the country.
They said discussions preparing for the meeting with the UK PM had been smooth until late afternoon on Monday - long after Mr Mitsotakis's BBC interview with Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67551732
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