Tory MP says British money being used to bail out Euro

The UK has offered a direct loan to the Irish Republic in addition to contributing to an international rescue, George Osborne has said.

He told the BBC that the loan is in Britain's national interest and is a separate contribution to reflect the fact the the UK is not in the euro.

Critics say British money is being used to prop up the mistakes of Irish politicians.

Conservative MP Douglas Carswell said: "We want Ireland to prosper but that's precisely why we should be helping Ireland to escape from the Euro."