Sky News Australia host Piers Morgan says the debate about whether the Elgin Marbles should leave or remain at the British Museum is almost as old as the marbles themselves.

“Those who want them to stay in the British Museum are worried it will open the floodgates,” Mr Morgan said.

“They say countries around the world will begin demanding the return of all our colonial treasures."

Mr Morgan said he sympathised with this opinion in the past but ultimately came down to an argument from the Greek Prime Minister who said it was a matter of where they can best be appreciated.

“The British Museum could still own the marbles but also loan them back to Greece as it does with many thousands of other artefacts every single year.”