Rishi Sunak accused the Greek prime minister of grandstanding over Elgin Marbles (Image: Getty/Bloomberg)

       The Prime Minister cancelled a planned meeting with Kyriakos Mitsotakis following his Greek counterpart’s push for the Parthenon Sculptures to be returned from the British Museum to Athens.

       At Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir Starmer – who met Mr Mitsotakis during his visit to London – accused Mr Sunak of trying to “humiliate” the Greek premier and of being guilty of “small politics”.

       But the PM said: “Of course, we’re always happy to discuss important topics of substance with our allies like tackling illegal migration or indeed strengthening our security.

       But when it was clear that the purpose of the meeting was not to discuss substantive issues for the future, but rather to grandstand and relitigate issues of the past, it wasn’t appropriate.”

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       He said “specific commitments and specific assurances” had been broken.

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       Downing Street says it was promised Mr Mitsotakis would not publicly push for the Marbles’ return during his visit, but he discussed them in a BBC interview before the planned talks.

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       The Greek government said the decision to axe the meeting was due to opinion poll woes.

       No10 has denied the claim. Mr Mitsotakis described the situation as akin to cutting the Mona Lisa in half.

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