Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Theresa May's Conservatives are seeking a deal with Arlene Foster's DUP

Downing Street and the Democratic Unionist Party say they are still in discussions over a possible deal to secure support for a minority Conservative government.

On Saturday, Downing Street announced a deal had been agreed in principle - but both sides then issued statements saying talks were ongoing.

The Tories need the support of the DUP's 10 MPs for a Commons majority.

No 10 described it as a "confidence and supply" deal rather than a coalition.

Prime Minister Theresa May is under pressure after Thursday's general election left her without a majority.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told the Sunday Mirror he could still be prime minister.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, meanwhile, dismissed reports of a Tory party leadership bid as "tripe".

The agreement being discussed between the DUP and the Tories, who fell eight seats short of a majority in Thursday's election, is not a full coalition, but an agreement which sees the smaller party support the larger one in key votes such as on the Budget.

Downing Street and the DUP issued separate statements overnight, emphasising that the deal between them had not yet been finalised.

The tone of both was in contrast to Saturday evening's message from No 10, which said a deal had been agreed in principle.

In a DUP statement released at midnight, the party said: "The DUP 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."

The DUP also retweeted a Sky News journalist's tweet claiming Downing Street's first statement had been issued in error.

'Will end in tears'

Within an hour, Downing Street said the details would be put forward by both parties "as and when" they were finalised.

It added: "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."

No explanation has been given for the change by Downing Street.

In response to the earlier Downing Street statement, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron called on Mrs May to make public immediately the details of the deal "stitched up behind closed doors".

Sinn Féin's leader in Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill said the DUP had "betrayed the interests of the people" and the new arrangement would "end in tears".

Mr Corbyn said the government did not have any credibility to go forward and the Labour Party would do what it could to stop it, including by voting down the Queen's Speech.

Image copyright PA Image caption Sinn Féin has said the deal will "end in tears"

The DUP are pro-union in UK terms, pro-Brexit and socially conservative.

The party's 2017 manifesto outlined calls for increases in the personal tax allowance, continued rises in the national living wage, renewal of the Trident nuclear deterrent and revisiting terrorism laws - all similar to Conservative policy.

But they differ in areas including abolishing air passenger duty, cutting VAT for tourism businesses and maintaining a triple lock on pensions.

Tory chief whip Gavin Williamson met DUP chiefs in Belfast on Saturday.

Newsnight political editor Nick Watt said the DUP and Conservatives had been "looking at the full range of possibilities" during Mr Williamson's visit.

The parties had discussed everything from just an informal undertaking to a full coalition agreement.

He added: "I am told that what the DUP are looking at is securing benefits. So keep the pension triple lock and preserve universal benefits such as the winter fuel allowance for pensioners.

"That would allow the DUP to say 'we are not just acting in the interests of Northern Ireland, we are true unionists, we are acting in the interest of the whole of the United Kingdom'."

Meanwhile, the Mail on Sunday reported a "close ally" of Mr Johnson as saying it was "go-go-go" to get him to take over the party from Mrs May.

But Mr Johnson tweeted: "Mail on Sunday tripe - I am backing Theresa May. Let's get on with the job."

What is a 'confidence and supply' deal?

Image copyright AFP/Getty Images

This deal would see the DUP promise to back the government in votes of no confidence and supply - or Budget - issues.

In return, the government would support or fund some of the DUP's policies.

These deals tend to be loose and a long way short of a formal coalition.

Minority governments like this are not uncommon.

John Major survived without a majority in the dying days of his Tory administration in the mid-1990s.

Labour's Harold Wilson and James Callaghan governed with minorities for much of the 1970s.

But these governments can be quite constrained in what they can do, passing as little legislation as possible to avoid defeat.

They can also be unstable and short lived, if the deal between the parties breaks down and fresh elections have to be called.

How a minority government might work</s>Theresa May looks set to be backed by the Democratic Unionist Party as she attempts to run a minority government following her General Election disaster.

Downing Street said an outline agreement on a "confidence and supply" arrangement had been reached which will be put to the Cabinet for discussion on Monday.

The 10 MPs from the Northern Irish party could prove crucial in supporting the Conservatives on key votes after Thursday's election saw Mrs May lose control of the Commons.

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."

A "confidence and supply" arrangement is a far looser deal than a formal coalition or pact.

It would mean the DUP backing the Government on its Budget and prevent it being brought down by motions of no confidence, but could potentially lead to other issues being decided on a vote-by-vote basis.

The development comes after Mrs May sent her Chief Whip Gavin Williamson to Belfast for talks with the DUP after the election left the Tories eight seats short of the 326 required for a majority.</s>The Democratic Unionist Party, founded and led by the late Reverend Ian Paisley, is the only Northern Ireland Party that was in favour of Brexit while most Northern Irish voters supported Remain.

Sinn Fein, which condemns Brexit and says Northern Ireland should remain in the EU on an all-island basis and which says a return to customs borders would hurt the peace process, will not be taking its seven seats in Westminster.

Although the DUP regularly votes with Conservatives in the Commons its own manifesto diverged from Theresa May’s in its support for retaining the pensions triple lock and universal winter fuel allowance.

But it shares common ground with Sinn Fein, the Irish government and Mrs May in wanting a “seamless and frictionless” border with the Republic after Brexit.

But it and Sinn Fein, the two largest Northern Ireland power sharing Assembly parties have been unable to reach agreement on restoring the devolved Stormont legislature. Talks had been suspended until after the General Election and were due to resume later this month.

With Sinn Fein’s seven MP refusing to take their seats in this Parliament these are the ten DUP MPs who will keep the Tories in power.

Nigel Dodds, Belfast North: The party’s deputy leader has also served in the Northern Ireland Assembly as a finance minister.

Gavin Robinson, Belfast East: 32-year-old barrister and former Lord Mayor of Belfast. The party’s youngest MP.

Emma Little-Pengelly, Belfast South: 37-year-old mother of three is a first-time MP and sole woman in the DUP’s Westminster line-up. She was a special adviser for Rev Ian Paisley and his successor Peter Robinson.

Sammy Wilson, East Antrim: 64-year old former finance minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

David Simpson, Upper Bann: A Free Presbyterian and opponent of marriage equality introduced by David Cameron in the UK and Enda Kenny in the Republic.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Langan Valley: once one of the UUP’s great young hopes for the future, defected to the DUP over the Good Friday Agreement.

Paul Givan, South Antrim: campaigned to support the Northern Irish bakery that refused to make a wedding cake for a same sex wedding.

Ian Paisley Jr, North Antrim: Son of the Rev Ian Paisley, Northern Ireland’s former first minister and DUP founder. He is a vocal parliamentarian and a leading Brexit campaigner. He spoke warmly of one time enemy Martin McGuinness for the warmth he showed Ian Snr and his family after they decided to share power together ten years ago.

You might also be interested in this article</s>Theresa May looks set to be backed by the Democratic Unionist Party as she attempts to run a minority government following her General Election disaster.

Downing Street said an outline agreement on a “confidence and supply” arrangement had been reached which will be put to the Cabinet for discussion on Monday.

The 10 MPs from the Northern Irish party could prove crucial in supporting the Conservatives on key votes after Thursday’s election saw Mrs May lose control of the Commons.

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.”</s>A beleaguered Theresa May is facing a backlash after agreeing an outline deal with anti-gay Democratic Unionists to save her premiership.

Conservatives spoke out after a senior party figure was sent to Belfast seeking a deal that could have seen the DUP handed ministerial jobs, with one Tory telling The Independent it meant being “pushed out to the right”.

In the end, no formal coalition was agreed. But a “confidence and supply” arrangement was struck for the DUP to back the Tories on key votes. The Cabinet will discuss it on Monday.

It came as Ms May was also forced to let go of her two trusted aides Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill – described as her “right and left arm” – to prevent a leadership challenge following her disastrous election campaign.

The Prime Minister then came under pressure from the Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, strengthened by Tory success north of the border, who called on her to think again about leaving the EU single market.

The resignations will buy time for the Prime Minister, but she is still fighting for her political life amid a growing belief in Tory circles that she must go after a period of months as an “interim leader”.

Strikingly, her Cabinet again failed to come out publicly to support her and her planned reshuffle had to be postponed amid the turmoil.

Graham Brady, the chairman of the Tories’ backbench 1922 committee, is thought to have personally demanded the heads of Mr Timothy and Ms Hill to prevent an immediate leadership contest.

Meanwhile, Gavin Barwell, who lost his Croydon Central seat at the election, was quickly appointed as Downing Street’s new chief of staff, bringing “considerable experience” to the post, the Prime Minister said.

As the twin chiefs of staff quit, Gavin Williamson, the Conservative Chief Whip, was in Belfast, pushing for the 10 DUP MPs to enter into a formal coalition agreement, rather than simply propping up the Government on key votes.

It appeared Ms May had decided she needed the strength of coalition to bolster her chances of keeping her Government alive, amid growing pressure from angry Tory MPs and members.

No 10 said the chief whip was exploring “how best they can provide support to the Government”. A source confirmed to The Independent that coalition was on the table.

However, it was thought the DUP was wary of coalition, given the miserable fate of the Liberal Democrats after entering government with the Conservatives.

Later, a No 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.”

It would mean the DUP backing the Government on its Budget and other key votes and – crucially – preventing it being brought down by motions of no confidence.

Neil Carmichael, a former select committee chairman who lost his Stroud seat last Thursday, said: “The DUP has the potential to push the Conservative party out to the right.

“On Brexit, I have argued that we need to come back to the middle, including people who voted to Remain. This has to be about where Britain goes – not just a chunk of Britain.

“And there’s Northern Ireland itself. The Government is apparently brokering a return to Stormont, but how can it if it has some of the politicians in its own camp?”

A former minister, Ed Vaizey, highlighted the danger of any DUP tie-up, saying: “I come from liberal wing of the Conservative party.

“I’m not going to support any legislation that I would regard as socially illiberal, or taking this country backwards.”

Sarah Wollaston, chairwoman of the health select committee, insisted that any deal with the DUP must not be allowed to influence policies on the death penalty, gay rights, education or abortion.

“I will always support the right for women to choose & access safe termination of pregnancy & will oppose any change to the legislation,” she tweeted.

“I will never agree to any dilution of LGBT rights. Creationism in schools? Hell no.

“If any of that is a condition of confidence and supply it simply won’t work.”

Alex Maskey, a Sinn Fein member of the Belfast Assembly, said a deal could “prove to be reckless” for Northern Ireland, adding: “The British public should have full scrutiny of the DUP and what that party represents.”

Earlier, Ms Davidson, who is gay, revealed she had demanded assurances from the Prime Minister over gay rights should the Tories do a deal with the DUP.

She again challenged her leader when she refused to say that Britain should pull out of the EU single market, as Ms May wants.

Instead, she said: “There’s an awful lot of issues surrounding Brexit that need to be discussed. Clearly, there is no majority government that’s come through after this election.

“That means we do have to listen to the other parties and that means we have to listen to others actors and agents – and that is exactly what we will do.”

Meanwhile, a survey by the ConservativeHome website further undermined the Prime Minister by revealing most Tory members want her to resign after her election failure.

Almost 60 per cent of grassroots Tories said the Prime Minister must fall on her sword after destroying her Commons majority.

Outside the Downing Street gates, anti-DUP protesters chanted “Tories out, refugees in” and “Tories out, Corbyn in”, as a petition against a deal between the two parties topped 500,000 signatures in just 12 hours.</s>Theresa May is trying to persuade the ten DUP MPs to enter into a formal coalition agreement with the Tories , as opposed to a less formal "confidence and supply" arrangement, according to reports.

The Prime Minister has sent a team of officials, led by her chief whip, Gavin Williamson, to Belfast to negotiate the details of an alliance with the DUP, according to ITV's Robert Peston.

The political journalist said he was being told by ministers that a more formal coalition would be preferable to a looser deal.

It is understood that Williamson was meeting the DUP's Chief Whip Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.

After meeting with the Queen, Theresa May told the country she would seek to govern with the support of Northern Ireland's DUP .

She said outside Downing Street: "What the country needs more than ever is certainty, and having secured the largest number of votes and the greatest number of seats in the General Election, it is clear that only the Conservative & Unionist Party has the legitimacy and ability to provide that certainty by commanding a majority in the House of Commons.

"As we do, we will continue to work with our friends and allies in the Democratic Unionist Party in particular. Our two parties have enjoyed a strong relationship over many years, and this gives me the confidence to believe that we will be able to work together in the interests of the whole United Kingdom."

The Democratic Unionist leader and most recent first minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster, says she wants to “bring stability to our nation” by backing Theresa May and the Conservatives to continue in power.

Foster said in Belfast on Friday that she was having discussions with May over the details of any arrangement that would prop up a minority government.

She confirmed that May had been in contact with her on Friday morning about gaining DUP support for a Tory administration.

“I make no apology for wanting the best for Northern Ireland and all of the union,” Foster said at the Stormont hotel in Belfast just across the road from the main entrance to the Stormont parliament, which remains shut down while talks begin next week to restore devolution.</s>Theresa May looks set to be backed by the Democratic Unionist Party as she attempts to run a minority British government following her general election disaster.

Downing Street said an outline agreement on a "confidence and supply" arrangement had been reached which will be put to the cabinet for discussion on Monday.

The 10 MPs from the party could prove crucial in supporting the Conservatives on key votes after Thursday's election saw Mrs May lose control of the Commons.

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."

A "confidence and supply" arrangement is a far looser deal than a formal coalition or pact.

It would mean the DUP backing the British government on its budget and prevent it being brought down by motions of no confidence, but could potentially lead to other issues being decided on a vote-by-vote basis.

The development comes after Mrs May sent her chief whip Gavin Williamson to Belfast for talks with the DUP after the election left the Tories eight seats short of the 326 required for a majority.

On a dramatic day, Mrs May's two closest aides Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill (both pictured) quit after coming under intense pressure from Tories following the election result.

The role of Mr Timothy and Ms Hill as Mrs May's joint chiefs of staff had been severely criticised by disgruntled Tories in the wake of the election result.

There were also misgivings about relying on the DUP, which strongly opposes same-sex marriage and abortion.

In a resignation statement on the ConservativeHome website, Mr Timothy acknowledged one of his regrets was the way Mrs May's social care policy, dubbed the "dementia tax" by critics, had been handled.

The British Prime Minister was forced to perform an unprecedented U-turn within days of the publication of the Tory manifesto by announcing there would be a cap on social care costs, something that had been absent in the original policy document.

Mr Timothy said: "I take responsibility for my part in this election campaign, which was the oversight of our policy programme.

"In particular, I regret the decision not to include in the manifesto a ceiling as well as a floor in our proposal to help meet the increasing cost of social care."

But he also set out his concerns about the way the campaign was managed, in comments viewed as a sideswipe at election guru Sir Lynton Crosby.

It said the campaign failed to get "Theresa's positive plan for the future across" or "notice the surge in Labour support".

On the same website Ms Hill said: "I have no doubt at all that Theresa May will continue to serve and work hard as Prime Minister and do it brilliantly."

Mrs May needs to shore up her position because the speech setting out the British government's programme is due on June 19, with a highly significant vote on its content expected after a few days' debate.

Mrs May called the election claiming she wanted a stronger hand in the forthcoming Brexit negotiations, due to start on June 19.

Without a majority, she could be forced to seek consensus on the approach she takes, as Scottish Tory leader Ms Davidson pointed out.

Ms Davidson, who wields considerable influence after the Scottish Tories won 13 seats, said: "I want to ensure that we can look again at issues like Brexit which we know we are now going to have to get cross-party support for.

"And move to a consensus within the country about what it means and what we seek to achieve as we leave."

In a hint that curbing immigration could become a lower priority than safeguarding the economy she said: "It is about making sure that we put free trade at the heart of what it is we seek to achieve as we leave."</s>Theresa May looks set to be backed by the Democratic Unionist Party as she attempts to run a minority government following her General Election disaster.

Downing Street said an outline agreement on a "confidence and supply" arrangement had been reached which will be put to the Cabinet for discussion on Monday.

The 10 MPs from the Northern Irish party could prove crucial in supporting the Conservatives on key votes after Thursday's election saw Mrs May lose control of the Commons.</s>Theresa May looks set to be backed by the Democratic Unionist Party as she attempts to run a minority government following her General Election disaster.

Downing Street said an outline agreement on a "confidence and supply" arrangement had been reached which will be put to the Cabinet for discussion on Monday.

The 10 MPs from the Northern Irish party could prove crucial in supporting the Conservatives on key votes after Thursday's election saw Mrs May lose control of the Commons.

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."

A "confidence and supply" arrangement is a far looser deal than a formal coalition or pact.

It would mean the DUP backing the Government on its Budget and prevent it being brought down by motions of no confidence, but could potentially lead to other issues being decided on a vote-by-vote basis.

The development comes after Mrs May sent her Chief Whip Gavin Williamson to Belfast for talks with the DUP after the election left the Tories eight seats short of the 326 required for a majority.</s>Theresa May looks set to be backed by the Democratic Unionist Party as she attempts to run a minority government following her General Election disaster.

Downing Street said an outline agreement on a 'confidence and supply' arrangement had been reached which will be put to the Cabinet for discussion on Monday.

The 10 MPs from the Northern Irish party could prove crucial in supporting the Conservatives on key votes after Thursday's election saw Mrs May lose control of the Commons.

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.'

A 'confidence and supply' arrangement is a far looser deal than a formal coalition or pact.

It would mean Northern Ireland's DUP backing the Government on its Budget and prevent it being brought down by motions of no confidence, but could potentially lead to other issues being decided on a vote-by-vote basis.

Earlier today, it was revealed Mrs May had sent her chief whip Gavin Williamson to Belfast for coalition talks with the DUP after the election left the Tories eight seats short of the 326 required for a majority.

The Prime Minister made clear she wants support from her 'friends and allies' in the DUP to secure her minority administration ahead of the Queen's Speech on June 19.

The DUP is the leading unionist party in Northern Ireland and it is supposed to share power with republican Sinn Fein but bitter feuds have left the devolved assembly suspended.

Westminster is supposed to act as an honest broker between the parties under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

Sinn Fein was already suspicious of Tory neutrality because of the party's traditional closeness to the DUP and any form of coalition will chill relations further.

The deal will raise the prospect of a long-term collapse in Northern Ireland devolution. The current row was triggered by DUP leader Arlene Foster refusing to resign as First Minister over a green energy funding scandal.
Following talks in Belfast, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) agrees to a "confidence and supply" deal to support a Conservative Party minority-government.