George Osborne says Greece still not UK's problem

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In a pre-emptive strike, he said he "wouldn't expect" any call on the UK taxpayer if Athens is forced to plead for more cash.

Angry Greek protesters have taken to the streets amid growing expectation that their government will apply for a second financial lifeline a year after it was meant to have been saved from bankruptcy.

While Germany and France today announced strong new growth figures, the Greeks face even stricter austerity measures to try to bring down their huge debts as part of the price of receiving help.

"I don't think the issue arises for Britain because the original bail-out for the Greeks just involved the eurozone. Britain was not involved in that and I wouldn't expect Britain to be involved again," he told BBC2's Newsnight.

Mr Osborne argues that as the UK was not part of last year's £95 billion bail-out by the eurozone nations it should be left out of any further rescue.