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The Liberal Democrats have criticised Theresa May as "cold and heartless," following the shock revelation she blocked attempts to guarantee the right to stay for EU nationals immediately after the referendum.

In a scathing editorial in the Evening Standard today, George Osborne revealed that "in the days immediately after the referendum, David Cameron wanted to reassure EU citizens they would be allowed to stay. All his Cabinet agreed with that unilateral offer, except his Home Secretary, Mrs May, who insisted on blocking it."

It comes as the Liberal Democrats have set out a list of four demands that must be addressed in the government's paper on the rights of EU nationals on Monday, including ending the "bureaucratic nightmare" faced by EU citizens applying for permanent residency.

A recent report revealed that at the Home Office's current workrate, it will take around 11 years to process the millions of expected residency requests from EU nationals.

Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake said:

The Liberal Democrats have tabled an amendment to the Queen's Speech calling for Britain to stay the single market and customs union.

The party is now calling on both Labour and Conservative MPs to support the amendment and inflict a historic defeat on the government, forcing Theresa May to soften her extreme approach to Brexit.

Liberal Democrats are among the parties today endorsing a bid to scrap the SNP's Offensive Behaviour at Football Act, following the formal introduction of a Bill that would repeal the controversial legislation.

Commenting, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said:

"With the repeal bill now being formally lodged, the final whistle is in sight for this unpopular and unnecessary act.

Nicola Sturgeon is transforming into a Neo-fundamentalist with her uncompromising pursuit of independence. In a speech to party members in Cupar tonight the Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Willie Rennie will say that the First Minister must back down and accept that the voters at the election on June 8th were clearly rejecting another independence referendum.

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Tavish Scott MSP today said that a new Audit Scotland report, highlighting deteriorating college finances and the serious challenges facing the sector, vindicates calls for new investment to repair Scotland's colleges.

Commenting, Mr Scott said:

"Scottish Liberal Democrats have consistently argued the need to repair our colleges following years of SNP cuts. This Audit Scotland report vindicates our calls for significant new investment to boost the economy and help people get on in life.

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Tavish Scott has today demanded a full independent inquiry on freedom of information practices during this afternoons debate where the Scottish Government has been heavily criticised for its handling of FOI requests.

Commenting, Mr Scott said:

"There should be an independent inquiry and there should be no retreat from this position. The issues that we have seen raised are down to the Scottish Government and their performance and trying to spin anything short of a full independent inquiry will not be good enough. SNP ministers should not once again be trying to hide from their own failures and face up to proper public scrutiny."

Following the introduction of the Social Security Bill, paving the way for the devolution of powers over eleven benefits, Scottish Liberal Democrat social security spokesperson Caron Lindsay commented:

"In the Smith Commission, Scottish Liberal Democrats pushed for extensive new powers to come to Scotland and we're delighted to see that the delivery of these powers is moving forward.

The Trade Bill announced in the Queen's speech is simply a job creation scheme for Liam Fox, the Liberal Democrats have said.

Tom Brake, Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesperson, said: "In reality this is an Anti-Trade Bill, as it means leaving the single market and customs union, despite clear opposition from the Chancellor and the Bank of England.