May's talks with DUP to stay in power not going as expected

Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman Tom Brake said: "After one week of talks, we are no closer to finding out what the DUP have asked for and what concessions are being made".

"Talks are ongoing with the DUP and we continue to work towards a confidence and supply arrangement", the source said, adding that the parties had shared objectives on issues like Brexit, fighting terrorism and spreading prosperity.

Leo Varadkar has revealed that he challenged Arlene Foster about her party's opposition to marriage equality during their recent talks.

The so-called confidence and supply agreement means that the supporting party will back the government in motions of confidence by either voting in favor or abstaining, while retaining the right to vote otherwise in matters of conscience.

'Twenty-four hours before the Queen's speech there is no agreement.

Both the United Kingdom and the Irish Prime Ministers expressed the conviction that it was possible to form a unity government in Northern Ireland by the 29 of June when the constitutional deadline expires. "DUP can't be taken for granted".

Nine days ago, Downing Street claimed an outline agreement had been reached, but was forced to backtrack after a DUP spokesman denied it.

Some political leaders in Northern Ireland fear a tie-up between the two could unsettle politics in Britain's smallest province, where pro-British unionists share power with Irish nationalists following a 1998 peace deal that ended three decades of sectarian violence. The Irish Taoiseach (prime minister) said Ireland was not in favour of an economic border between the two countries following Brexit.

And DUP sources in Northern Ireland demanded "greater focus" from the Tories on the talks in a withering attack which mocked the PM's chances of getting a good deal from the EU.

"I am very reassured by what the Prime Minister said to me today that that won't be the case".