Getting stood up is always annoying. When you have travelled 1,500 miles and have a full agenda of war, trade and migration to discuss with someone, all the more so.

Yesterday Britain found itself in a diplomaticNon-violent peacekeeping. Diplomatic means keeping good relations between the governments of different countries. crisis after prime minister Rishi Sunak refused to meet Greek leader Kyriakos MitsotakisThe Greek prime minister since June 2023. in London.

It followed comments by Mitsotakis on the BBC restating Greece's demand that Britain return the Parthenon Marbles - often called the Elgin Marbles in the UK.

The history of the marbles is still somewhat murky. They were taken from the Parthenon by the 7th Earl Elgin between 1801 and 1812.¹ 

He claimed he had been given permission to take the marbles from the OttomanA member of the Turkish dynasty that ruled the Ottoman Empire. government that still ruled Greece at that time. But the Greeks themselves were not asked.

Historians are divided on whether or not Elgin's actions were justifiedHaving a good reason for doing something. . Some argue they were necessary to protect the sculptures, which had already been badly damaged.²

However, others point out the marbles have suffered great damage since because of air pollution and botchedGone wrong. cleaning attempts.³

The UK is reluctant to return the marbles because it would then come under pressure to restore other artefactsItems made by humans, especially ones of historical interest. to their original homes.

However, refusing also carries a risk.

Four years ago, Xi JinpingThe president of China, who has concentrated power and removed term limits allowing him to serve for life. visited Greece. There he voiced his own support for the return of the marbles.

Chinese artefacts are also held in museums across the western world. And many other developing countries whose history was looted are smarting at the same injustice.

So by backing Greece he can draw a dividing line between the arrogantThinking very highly of oneself. West and China as the leader of the world's developing countries, determined to stand up for their interests.

By refusing to hand the marbles back to the Greeks, some experts say, Britain might be playing into his hands.

Yes: They are a piece of Greek cultural heritage, stolen from them through connivanceWillingly being involved in an illegal or immoral act. and trickery. Returning them is both morally right and politically vital.

No: The marbles are the world's heritage, not just the Greeks'. And the British Museum receives around four times as many visitors from around the world as the Parthenon does.⁴ Leave the marbles where people can see them.

Or... The marbles are really a symptom of a larger problem. Britain needs to decide what it thinks of its imperial past and how that is going to affect its relationships with other countries in the present.

Diplomatic - Non-violent peacekeeping. Diplomatic means keeping good relations between the governments of different countries.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis - The Greek prime minister since June 2023.

Ottoman - A member of the Turkish dynasty that ruled the Ottoman Empire.

Justified - Having a good reason for doing something.

Botched - Gone wrong.

Artefacts - Items made by humans, especially ones of historical interest.

Xi Jinping - The president of China, who has concentrated power and removed term limits allowing him to serve for life.

Arrogant - Thinking very highly of oneself.

Connivance - Willingly being involved in an illegal or immoral act.