SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said that a deal between the government and the DUP cannot be one that gives the DUP power over the Conservative Party.
He was speaking outside No 10 Downing Street following a meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May.
“We have to judge it on its merits and see what the deal looks like,” said the Foyle MLA.
“I told Theresa May that it will take much more to convince us that the DUP tail isn’t wagging the Tory dog.
“I think this (Stormont deal) can be done by the end of June, it requires a change of attitude from the rest of the parties and requires the British government to prove to the rest of us that they are not under the thumb of the DUP.”
UUP leader Robin Swann said that Mrs May reassured him that the “entire deal (with the DUP) will be made public”.
“One thing we have made clear to the prime minister is that we are concerned that any deal reached is open and transparent and that everybody gets to see the entire negotiation.”
He added that calls from other parties for the NI Secretary to be replaced as chair of the talks is a “side show” and a “waste of time and a distraction”.
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