A diplomatic row has broken out between British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Greek leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis over the highly contentious 'Elgin Marbles'.

These artefacts, which now reside in the British Museum, resurfaced in public debate when Mr Sunak ditched talks with the Greek PM after he alleged that Mr Mitsotakis would use the meeting to demand their return.

With discussion around these statues regaining traction, here is everything you need to know about them.

What are the Parthenon Marbles and why are they in the UK?

The National: Rishi Sunak accused the Greek PM of using their meeting to call for the return of the Elgin Marbles to Greece.Rishi Sunak accused the Greek PM of using their meeting to call for the return of the Elgin Marbles to Greece. (Image: Daniel Leal/PA Wire)

The Elgin or Parthenon Marbles are a collection of Ancient Greek sculptures and structures that originally resided in the Parthenon and Acropolis in Athens.

Produced between 447 to 438 BCE, many of these were damaged or destroyed during the sixth Ottoman-Venetian War of 1684 when defending forces used the Parthenon as a fort and gunpowder store.

From 1801 to 1812, these structures were removed from Ottoman-run Greece and taken to the British Museum in London.

This was done under the orders of Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin with an act of Parliament in 1816 seeing these housed in the British Museum under the condition that they remain together and be named the "Elgin Marbles".

The National: The Parthenon Marbles were taken by Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin.The Parthenon Marbles were taken by Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin. (Image: PA)

Who is Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin?

Thomas Bruce, born in Fife, was a British nobleman, soldier, diplomat and politician known for the controversial procurement of the Parthenon Marbles from Greece in the 19th century.

He first joined the Scots Guards as an ensign in 1785 before becoming the captain of his own army company (by way of purchase).

In 1790, he was elected as a Scottish Representative Peer and attended parliament whenever his duties allowed before losing his seat in 1807.

His diplomatic career saw him travel to places like Austria, Belgium and Prussia.

On his return to British from Istanbul, the earl was captured while traversing France when war between the two countries broke out again in 1803. He later returned to the UK before dying in 1841.