Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Friday said Britain must stay in the European single market as it leaves the EU, following the general election in which Prime Minister Theresa May lost her majority.

"The reckless Tory pursuit of a 'hard Brexit' must now be abandoned," the Scottish National Party leader told a press conference.

The SNP forms the third-biggest group in the new House of Commons in London following Thursday's British general election.