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| General election 2017: Fallon defends DUP government 'deal' | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Conservative deal with the Democratic Unionist Party would only apply to "big issues" like the economy and security, the defence secretary has said. | |
| Sir Michael Fallon said talks were seeking an agreement - which would not be a formal coalition - to keep a minority Tory government in power. | |
| Speaking to Andrew Marr, Sir Michael also distanced himself from the DUP's conservative stance on social issues. | |
| "It doesn't mean we now agree with all their views," he said. | |
| Overnight there was confusion over the status of the talks, with Downing Street initially saying the principles had been agreed before issuing another statement saying negotiations continued. | |
| "It would be very, very surprising if something as important and complex as this was stitched together in a single day of talks in Belfast," Sir Michael said. | |
| DUP leader Arlene Foster told Sky News "discussions continue" about forming a "national government" to bring stability to the nation. | |
| She said the parties had made "good progress" so far. | |
| The arrangement being sought is known as "confidence and supply", under which the Tories could rely on DUP support in key votes like Budgets and no-confidence motions. | |
| Sir Michael did not reveal what the DUP had been offered in return, but said the "outline proposal" would be published once a deal had been agreed. |