Tim Farron is under mounting pressure after senior Liberal Democrats accused him failing to win over the public with the party's anti-Brexit message and controversies over his views on abortion and gay sex.

Senior figures warned that if the Lib Dems fail to make a breakthrough Mr Farron must consider his position, with polls suggesting that the party's support has fallen to 8 per cent.

It came as the Lib Dem leader launched a programme for opposition as he effectively conceded that the Lib Dems will not be in Government because Theresa May will win the election comfortably.

His manifesto was heavily focused on Brexit, with a commitment to keeping Britain in the Single Market and holding a second referendum.