Christine Lagarde insists it is "simply nonsense" that the International Monetary Fund is pushing for a credit crisis to force economic reforms in Greece, responding to a leaked conversation that has sparked fury among the country's politicians.

On Saturday, WikiLeaks made public a transcript of IMF decision-makers stating that an "event" could prompt Greece to implement financial reforms.

But Ms Lagarde, the IMF chief, has now dismissed rumours that the organisation is hoping for a crisis to move along discussions.

She said in a letter to the Greek Prime minister, Alexis Tsipras: "The IMF conducts its negotiations in good faith, not by way of threats [...] we do not communicate through leaks."

It comes after Mr Tsipras demanded "explanations" from the IMF over its attitude towards Greece, following WikiLeaks' publication of an internal teleconference of IMF executives, some of whom are representing negotiations with Greece.

According to the transcript, the IMF said an "event" was required to force the debt-laden country to decide economic reforms. The revelations prompted speculation that the organisation is planning on using the threat of default to force Athens to act on its debt burden.