DUP leader Arlene Foster and her deputy Nigel Dodds arriving at No 10 Downing Street today for talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May over pact deal
THERESA May and DUP leader Arlene Foster have held “constructive” talks at Downing Street in an effort to reach a deal for the party to prop up a minority Tory government.
Mrs Foster waved to reporters as she arrived with deputy leader Nigel Dodds at No 10 at lunchtime, but refused to confirm to reporters whether she would agree to a deal. She later tweeted she was hopeful of bringing the negotiations to a “successful conclusion”.
Mrs May also kept mum as she left Downing Street by car shortly after 2pm.
A Number 10 source told political reporters the “constructive” talks had now moved from Downing Street to the Palace of Westminster.
There is speculation that a deal could be reached by Thursday at the latest.
Sinn Fein’s seven MPs – including newly elected Elisha McCallion for Foyle – arrived at Westminster but they are still not taking their seats.
The Tories and the DUP are considering a “confidence and supply” arrangement which would see the Northern Irish party back the Government to get its Budget through and on confidence motions.
Mrs May’s largely unchanged Cabinet earlier discussed plans for the scope of negotiations in a meeting that lasted around 90 minutes.
A failure to gain support from the DUP would risk the Queen’s Speech being voted down next week, and Jeremy Corbyn has said Labour will be pushing hard for that outcome.
