Northern Ireland’s First Minister backs return of Parthenon Marbles to Greece

Interview by Yannis Andritsopoulos, London Correspondent, Ta Nea Greek Daily Newspaper

In an exclusive interview with the Greek daily newspaper Ta Nea, the Sinn Féin vice-president noted that consecutive opinion polls show a clear majority of Britons support the reunification of the ancient Greek masterpieces in Athens.

When asked if she favours the marbles’ return to Greece, O’Neill replied: “Yes, I think that’s important.”

She added: “Everybody’s had their say here in terms of all the opinion polls. So I think that it’s important that we reach towards where the public are. And on this, I think the public have made their voice very clear.”

Her comments come amid growing momentum in Greece’s long-running campaign for the return of the iconic artefacts, which were removed from the Parthenon temple in Athens in the early 19th century by Lord Elgin.

The British government later purchased them and, in 1816, transferred them to the British Museum, where they remain on display. The Greek government maintains that the sculptures were stolen and should be returned permanently.

O’Neill’s statement adds to a growing list of political figures across the UK who have expressed support for the return of the Parthenon Marbles, aligning with the clear majority of British public opinion in favour of their repatriation.

In April this year, Wales’ First Minister Eluned Morgan voiced her strong support for the reunification of the classical antiquity’s masterpieces, telling Ta Nea Newspaper: “The Parthenon Sculptures should be returned to Greece.”

In 2021, the then Scottish Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs, Michael Russell, also told Ta Nea that he supported the return of the sculptures to Greece.

In June, Ta Nea revealed that British Museum Chair George Osborne had privately indicated that a potential agreement with Greece was “95% agreed”, while cautioning that the remaining issues may prove the most difficult to resolve.

‘Irish unity referendum to take place by 2030’

In her interview with Ta Nea, O’Neill also said she believes a referendum on Irish unity will be held by the end of this decade, arguing that recent political events have shown many people that the British government does not act in their interests.

Northern Ireland’s First Minister said: “We believe that it is in this short number of years ahead. We’ve talked about 2030 being the year that the union referendum should be held. I think events of recent years have really highlighted for many people the fact that the British government will continue to act against their interests. The British government doesn’t act in the interests of the people at home.”

She added that a united Ireland would bring significant opportunities for citizens: “The opportunity that we all have together, regardless of your political stripe, is to work together to unify the people across the island of Ireland, to grow our economy, to create better living standards, make sure people have better wages, a roof over their head. There’s a huge prize in this for all of us, and I want to work with others to bring that about.”

Asked whether she thinks the majority of people would vote in favour of reunification, O’Neill said: “Well, that’s the job at hand, isn’t it? To convince people of the merits of unification. I believe that there are many advantages. The big question for many people now is which union do you wish to be part of? Is it that union with Britain who imposes things like Brexit over your head and against your wishes? Or is there a union of people across the island of Ireland within the European Union? For me, that’s a big prize and I think we should all reach for together.”

On whether the Good Friday Agreement is currently under threat, the First Minister was unequivocal: “No. I believe the Good Friday Agreement is an international agreement that has longevity, that has endurance, and it is an international agreement. I will not accept anybody’s attempt to derail it or to bring it down. It must endure.”

She added: “I look towards both the British government and the Irish government as co-guarantors of that agreement, to ensure that it’s fulfilled. That includes having the referendum and allowing people to have their choice about constitutional change.”