British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunakhas investigated the perennial dispute between Britain and Greece over the Parthenon marbles, alleging “bad faith” on the part of its counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis during his three-day visit to London.

The Greek Head of Government cut short his stay in the city on the River Thames a few hours later cancellation of the British meeting in Downing Street, agreed to this Tuesday. The conservative president’s office justified the sit-in breach of warranty and promise offered by its European allies.

“The Greek government gave assurances that it would not use the visit as a public platform to re-raise already resolved issues relating to ownership of the Parthenon statues,” Sunak’s spokesman said. These promises were not kept, according to Downing Street, and They were never offered, according to Mitsotakis’ team.

Diplomatic chaos erupted following statements made by the head of government and leader of New Democracy on the BBC to explain the situation of the fallen marble pieces. Earl of ElginThomas Bruce, sold to the British Parliament in 1816. For the Greeks, this was plunder and the theft of more than half of the preserved marbles from the ancient temple of Athena. “Is like we cut the Mona Lisa in half and one part is kept in the Louvre and another in the British Museum,” he compared.

The stark comments, according to conservatives, made it “impossible” to maintain the agenda planned between the two leaders. Mitsotakis was offered the opportunity to meet Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, which the Greek turned down without publicly ignoring his anger or frustration. “Anyone who believes in the truth and justice of their position is never afraid of an argumentative confrontation,” he reported on social networks at the canceled meeting.

Sunak’s harsh stance went against the former Conservative minister’s wishes and chairman of the board of the British Museum, George Osborneto find solutions that are “practical, pragmatic and rational”. the fate of the pieces is under negotiation with the Greek government. “We are looking partnership with our Greek friends which requires that no one ignores their claims,” a long-time ally of the current Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, said recently.

He opposition leaderlabor Keir Starmerhas been in tune with this open flow understanding between London and Athens, without committing to changing the text of the law prohibiting the return of parts of the Acropolis of Athens. The center-left leader met with Mitsotakis after previously indicating as much will not interfere with the agreement mutually accepted by both parties allowing the temporary departure of the marbles housed in Británico.

The conversation took place minutes before Sunak canceled his appointment with the Greek visitor. Some commentators interpreted the snub as a Conservative Party maneuver to insert ‘Elgin marbles’ into the electoral battle, promoting Sunak as a patron of artistic heritage nationally against a Labor Party rival willing to lose the relic.

Compared with his Greek counterpart, Sunak is in a very different situation. Mitsotakis renewed his position in June, strengthening his mandate with another five years to sign the agreement with the British Museum. Sunak would bring to a close two decades of conservative rule, without validating his lead in the polls, if poll predictions of a victory for Starmer’s Labor Party come true.