Key dates for May as she seeks deal with Northern Ireland's DUP

Meanwhile, May announced that former housing minister Gavin Barwell would replace Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, her joint chiefs of staff who resigned in the aftermath of Thursday's elections.

The talks were in line with DUP leader Arlene Foster's "commitment to explore how we might bring stability to the nation at this time of great challenge", her party said in a statement.

Mrs. May faces strong criticism within her own party for her weak performance during the election campaign and for unwisely exercising her prerogative by calling for the election this year, after only two years of a five-year parliament.

Ms Davidson told the BBC: "I was fairly straightforward with her and I told her that there were a number of things that count to me more than the party". If it is, Theresa May did not mention it after returning from her meeting with HM The Queen. She had visited Saudi Arabia as part of a tour of other Gulf Arab countries to promote post-Brexit trade deals. Further announcements were expected on Saturday.

May is seeking a deal with a Northern Irish party to prop up the Conservative minority administration, and lawmakers said the rebuff from voters meant the government will have to abandon planned policies and re-think its strategy for European Union exit talks.

On a humiliating night for the Prime Minister the Tories slipped from a total of 331 seats to 318, while Labour gained 32 seats to reach 262.

It was not immediately clear what the DUP's demands might be and one DUP lawmaker suggested support might come vote by vote.

Sturgeon said the results showed that "the reckless Tory pursuit of a "hard Brexit" must now be abandoned".

"The last thing business leaders need is a parliament in paralysis, and the consequences for British businesses and for the United Kingdom as an investment destination would be severe", said Stephen Martin, director general of the Institute of Directors business lobby.

May has said Brexit talks will begin on June 19 as scheduled, the same day as the formal reopening of parliament.

The results of the UK's general election are in. but there wasn't a clear victor. "Do your best to avoid a "no deal" as result of "no negotiations". Could you tell us a little bit about the Democratic Unionists? "With a weak negotiating partner, there's a danger that the (Brexit) negotiations will turn out badly for both sides".

Scotland voted to remain in the European Union, and Ms Davidson has called for a softer approach to the withdrawal process. The result ended his career and shocked Europe. "And, I even hope, that closer co-operation between the DUP and the Conservative Party will lead to a change in the DUP's attitude towards LGBT rights, especially with a view to unblocking the issue of equal marriage Northern Ireland". Conversely, the Labour Party outperformed expectations, picking up 30 seats for a total of 262 in the 650-seat House of Commons, and its leader, leftist Jeremy Corbyn, emerged as a clear political victor.

"I think if we'd had a large Conservative majority like all the polling was pointing to, then Theresa May could've pushed through her version of Brexit which is outside the single market, outside the customs union with tight control over migration, and not giving much money into the EU pot in terms of paying for access", explains French.

"We want to negotiate quickly, we want to stick to the time plan, and so at this point I don't think there is anything to suggest these negotiations can not start as was agreed".

May unexpectedly called the snap election seven weeks ago, three years early, polls predicting she would massively increase the slim majority she inherited from Cameron. There was no need for her to put her position on the line, and she had said earlier that an election was not needed.

It is highly likely that Mrs May too would hold back on any resignation until she has had time to test whether she has the support to attempt to continue in office.