DUP says no deal reached with Conservatives and talks still ongoing – despite Downing Street announcing agreement was reached
Tory chief whip was flown to Northern Ireland to draw up deal with DUP
THE DUP has denied reaching a deal with the Tories just hours after Downing Street said an agreement had been reached that would see the party prop up Theresa May's diminished Government.
Downing Street said the Northern Ireland party had given an "outline agreement" approval in principle, throwing a lifeline to the Tories, but the DUP responded by saying talks were "ongoing".
The chaotic back and forth began when a Number 10 spokesman said: "We can confirm that the Democratic Unionist Party have agreed to the principles of an outline agreement to support the Conservative Government on a confidence and supply basis when Parliament returns next week.
"We welcome this commitment, which can provide the stability and certainty the whole country requires as we embark on Brexit and beyond.
"The details will be put forward for discussion and agreement at a Cabinet meeting on Monday."
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Hours later the DUP denied a deal had been reached suggesting they could be driving a tough bargain with Tory chief whip Gavin Williamson, sent to lead talks.
The party said: "The DUP today held discussions with representatives of the Conservative Party in line with Arlene Foster's commitment to explore how we might bring stability to the nation at this time of great challenge. The talks so far have been positive.
"Discussions will continue next week to work on the details and to reach agreement on arrangements for the new Parliament."
Foster had said her party would look at ways to help the beleaguered Tories saying a deal could bring "stability to the nation".
Sources later told Sky Source that Downing Street had issued the wrong statement in error.
The party, who won ten seats, emerged as kingmakers on Friday and may allow Mrs May to cling to power after her gamble to secure a larger majority massively failed.
The PM is looking to form a minority government with DUP support through an informal agreement that would work on a “confidence and supply basis”.
More than half-a-million people have signed a petition against the deal.
Who are the Democratic Unionist Party?
- The DUP are the largest party in Northern Ireland, with an edge over republicans Sinn Fein who refuse to sit in Parliament
- They won ten seats in this election, two more than they eight they won in 2015
- They are led by Arlene Foster in Northern Ireland and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson in Westminster
- The DUP are pro-Brexit and pro-unionist
- They also want to ensure Brexit won't threaten the soft border with the Republic of Ireland
According to their manifesto, they also in favour of the nuclear deterrent
The DUP is pro-union and pro-Brexit making it a natural fit for the Tories, but the party has extremely conservative views on issues such as gay rights and abortion.
It has also been criticised in the past for links to members of violent loyalist paramilitary groups like the UVF who murdered Republicans during the Troubles.
But the Tories are left with few options after failing to reach a majority in Thursday's election.
The party's chief whip Gavin Williamson flew to Northern Ireland today.
He is tasked with making sure the Northern Irish party’s 10 MPs will vote with the Tories and allow her to cling on to power.
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