Greece pushed a step closer to eurozone exit after IMF snub

Christine Lagarde's refusal to allow any delay in bailout repayments heightens fears that the US and Europe are preparing for Greece to leave the euro

Greece has been pushed a step closer to default and potential exit from the euro after one of its main lenders, the International Monetary Fund, all but ruled out allowing the cash-strapped country to delay repaying the a1bn (722m) due next month.

The head of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, said delaying the payments would be an unprecedented action that would only make the situation worse.