Britain is the legitimate owner of the Elgin Marbles, Prime Minister Boris Johnson insists.

Greece has called for the repatriation of the frieze – taken from the Parthenon temple in Athens – for more than 180 years.

But the British Museum has always refused the request.

It argues the marbles were bought though a legal contract with the Ottoman Empire.

Mr Johnson, an Oxford University Classics’ scholar, said he understood the feelings of many Greeks about the issue.

However, Britain had a “firm and long-standing” position about the sculptures he told the Ta Nea newspaper.

He added: “They were acquired legally by Lord Elgin, in line with the laws that were in force at that time.”