Ireland's former Attorney General has called Angela Merkel a "hero" for her response to the refugee crisis.

Peter Sutherland, who is currently the UN Special Representative for International Migration, says Europe needs to follow Germany's example and increase the number of asylum seekers it takes each year.

His comments follow violent scenes at a refugee camp in Calais, France, as authorities attempt to demolish part of it and evict residents.

Mr Sutherland says the EU has sufficient resources to take a million refugees annually, but so far only Germany is pulling its weight.

He said: "On Sunday night, Mrs Merkel, who in my view is a hero in this situation, used the words, and I quote 'it is my damn duty to do everything I can so that Europe finds a collective way. I want to keep Europe together and to show humanity'.

"She is showing a response to this situation that mnany others are not doing, particularly in central and eastern Europe."