Confusion as Downing St says no deal has been reached with DUP
2 min read
The Government has been forced into a U-turn over claims a deal had been reached with the DUP, after the Northern Ireland party said talks would “continue” next week.
An initial Downing St statement yesterday evening welcomed the “commitment” of the Northern Irish party to support a Tory government through a confidence-and-supply arrangement, adding that cabinet would meet on Monday to discuss the issue further.
Hours later however Number 10 said they would “welcome any such deal being agreed”, after the DUP released their own statement saying: "Discussions will continue next week to work on the details and to reach agreement on arrangements for the new parliament."
In a dramatic U-turn Theresa Mays team then put out another statement late last night, saying: "The Prime Minister has tonight spoken with the DUP to discuss finalising a confidence and supply deal when Parliament returns next week.
"We will welcome any such deal being agreed, as it will provide the stability and certainty the whole country requires as we embark on Brexit and beyond.
"As and when details are finalised both parties will put them forward."
The DUP confirmed discussions had been held in Belfast with Tory chief whip Gavin Williamson, and that talks had so far been “positive”.
"The DUP today (Saturday) 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 party said.
But the party added: "Discussions will continue next week to work on the details and to reach agreement on arrangements for the new parliament."
The Tories have faced criticism for seeking a deal amid concerns over the DUP's socially conservative views on gay rights and abortion.
A petition set up against the move has exceeded 500,000 signatures.
'TERRIBLE MISTAKE'
The UK’s chief negotiator of the Good Friday Agreement, Jonathan Powell, wrote in The Observer this morning that Theresa May had also made a “terrible mistake” with regards to no longer appearing a neutral broker between unionists and nationalists.
He said Britain’s neutrality in the province since 1990 had been the “basis for the peace negotiations”.
“If Mrs May depends on the DUP… to form a government, it will be impossible for it to be even-handed,” he wrote.
“The other parties in Northern Ireland will know that the unionists can pull the plug at any stage and hold the government hostage.
“If the British government cannot play the role of mediator it is not obvious who can”.
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
