N.Irish unionists agree 'confidence' deal with Tories

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) – Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) agreed in principle to a “confidence and supply” deal with the Conservative Party, a Downing Street statement said Saturday.

“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,” a government spokesman said.

“We welcome this commitment, which can provide the stability and certainty the whole country requires as we embark on Brexit and beyond,” it said.

According to the statement, the “details will be put forward for discussion and agreement at a Cabinet meeting on Monday.”

The DUP will agree to vote for or abstain on the Queen’s speech - a ceremonial speech at the House of Lords where the Queen outlines new government’s policies -, and key legislation at the lower house of the parliament.

The Conservatives are expected to pick up some elements of the DUP’s manifesto.

Two of May’s chief advisers, Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, resigned, falling on the sword for the poorly managed campaign that led to the ruling party losing its majority in parliament by taking 318 seats, eight short of a single-party government and 12 less than the previous elections. The DUP won 10 Westminster seats, which will provide the Tories a narrow parliament majority.

Following the deal, Prime Minister Theresa May will shape her new cabinet to form the new U.K. government next week.

"A grubby deal for a coalition of chaos," Tom Watson, deputy leader of the Labour Party reacted to the deal.

Liberal Democrats' leader Tim Farron also reacted to the announcement and urged the Conservatives to reveal the detail "immediately."