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DUP-Tory deal signed in Downing Street DUP-Tory deal signed in Downing Street
(35 minutes later)
A confidence and supply deal between the Tories and the DUP is expected to be announced in the next couple of hours, the BBC has learned. A confidence and supply agreement between the Tories and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has been signed with £1.5bn being made available to Northern Ireland as part of the deal.
Pictures from inside Downing Street showed a deal being signed by the DUP's Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Gavin Williamson of the Conservative Party. Pictures from inside Downing Street showed the deal being signed by the DUP's Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Gavin Williamson of the Conservative Party.
Theresa May is seeking the backing of the DUP's 10 MPs after losing her majority in the general election. Theresa May has sought the support of the DUP's 10 MPs after losing her majority in the general election.
Both sides have been in talks since the poll on 8 June. Talks began after the poll on 8 June.
Details of the agreement between the two parties are expected to be made public within hours. Mrs May described the deal as a "very, very good one".
Earlier, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) said a deal to support a minority Conservative government was "close". Speaking outside Downing Street, Mrs Foster said the details of the agreement would "benefit of all our (Northern Ireland) people".
Writing in the Belfast Telegraph, Arlene Foster said: "I believe we are close to concluding an appropriate agreement with the Conservative Party to support a minority government on a confidence and supply basis." "They will boost the economy and invest in new infrastructure as well as investing in the future of our health and education sectors and a range of other measures."
She added that "progress has been slow but we continue to work through the issues". Mrs May said: "We share many values in terms of wanting to see prosperity across the UK, the value of the union, the important bond between the different parts of the United Kingdom.
Separately, Mrs Foster told Sky News that agreement between the DUP and Conservatives at Westminster could bring parties in Northern Ireland closer to a power-sharing deal. "We very much want to see that protected and enhanced and we also share the desire to ensure a strong government, able to put through its programme and provide for issues like the Brexit negotiations, but also national security."
Stormont concerns
Mrs Foster earlier told Sky News that agreement between the DUP and Conservatives at Westminster could bring parties in Northern Ireland closer to a power-sharing deal.
The Northern Ireland parties have until 29 June to find agreement over restoring the devolved government.The Northern Ireland parties have until 29 June to find agreement over restoring the devolved government.
The parties have been warned that if they cannot reach agreement then direct rule could follow.The parties have been warned that if they cannot reach agreement then direct rule could follow.
Analysis: Enda McClafferty, BBC News NI political correspondent Parties have raised concerns that the DUP-Tory deal could undermine the negotiations on restoring devolution at Stormont.
The big question will be how much will Northern Ireland receive. There was some speculation last week it was £2bn, others have said it will be around £750m or £800m. However, Mrs Foster told Sky News: "I think that this agreement will bring the prospects of doing at deal at Stormont closer because this will have a positive impact in relation to Northern Ireland.
The figure will also be scrutinised in Scotland and Wales, because if they feel Northern Ireland is being put in a favourable position they will make a lot of noise towards Theresa May and her government.
However, Arlene Foster knows whatever bag of goodies they get from Westminster can only be cashed in if there is a Northern Ireland Executive up and running.
The official deadline for a deal at Stormont is 16:00 BST on Thursday, but Sinn Féin say the government has warned that the Queen's Speech vote on Wednesday means the deadline is effectively Tuesday.
So Arlene Foster will return to Belfast to face extensive negotiations on all sides.
Parties have raised concerns that the ongoing DUP-Tory talks are undermining the negotiations on restoring devolution at Stormont.
However, Mrs Foster told Sky News: "We're back in London again and my hope is that we will be able to finalise a deal between ourselves and the Conservative Party.
"I think that this agreement will bring the prospects of doing at deal at Stormont closer because this will have a positive impact in relation to Northern Ireland.
"I very much hope that this week we will be able to conclude on two agreements.""I very much hope that this week we will be able to conclude on two agreements."
Northern Ireland has been without a power-sharing executive since March and without a first and deputy first minister since January.Northern Ireland has been without a power-sharing executive since March and without a first and deputy first minister since January.
The institutions collapsed amid a bitter row between the DUP and Sinn Féin about a botched green energy scheme.The institutions collapsed amid a bitter row between the DUP and Sinn Féin about a botched green energy scheme.
The late deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, stood down, in a move that triggered a snap election.The late deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, stood down, in a move that triggered a snap election.