The delay in the Queen's Speech raises concerns about Theresa May's ability to form a functioning government, the First Minister has said.

Nicola Sturgeon spoke in Westminster as she and the SNP's 35 MPs gathered outside the House of Parliament.

The Queen's Speech is a formal process which sets out the UK Government's legislative agenda.

It was due to take place on Monday, June 19, but has since been pushed back to Tuesday or Wednesday.

After the general election returned a hung parliament, the Prime Minister is in the process of finalising a deal with Northern Ireland's DUP which would see her secure a working majority in the Commons on a "confidence and supply" basis.

The First Minister spoke to journalists on Monday as the party's MPs returned to Westminster.

The SNP lost 21 seats in the election, prompting questions over the party's plans for a second independence referendum.

Asked about her plans for another ballot, Sturgeon reiterated that she would "reflect carefully" on the result of the vote.

She said: "The SNP is the third-biggest party in the House of Commons and there are two immediate questions that demand out attention.

"Firstly, can the Prime Minister put together a functioning government? There's a lot of concern about the prospect of a Tory government propped up by the DUP.

"And today's news that the Queen's Speech is going to be delayed raises further concerns about what's being cooked up behind closed doors."

She continued: "The second concern is the approach to Brexit. The approach that the Government was taking can no longer stand."

The First Minister said there should be a "cross party, four-nation approach" to Brexit which would maintain our position in the single market.