Hardline unionist leader Arlene Foster marched into 10 Downing Street today to name her price for propping up tottering Theresa May.
Despite many of her 10 MPs holding controversial views on gay rights, abortion and the death penalty, Mrs Foster was welcomed into the heart of Government as the new kingmaker.
“The future’s bright!” declared the Democratic Unionist Party leader ahead of the talks, while DUP MP Ian Paisley Jnr exclaimed: “The future’s orange!” in reference to the Orange Order.
Mrs Foster was expected to lay out a series of demands that could jeopardise future power-sharing at Stormont, enrage modernisers at Westminster, and cost taxpayer millions for extra projects in Northern Ireland.
As Mrs May faced having to making concessions to the DUP to stay in power, Brussels leaders ganged up on her over her weakened position on Brexit talks, warning they must not be delayed.
Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament’s Brexit co-ordinator, tweeted: “We are impatiently waiting for the negotiating position of the UK gov. The current uncertainty cannot continue.”
Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, called for Mrs May to “very quickly” start the formal talks and appoint a negotiating team which is “stable, accountable and with a mandate”.
However, as the Government faces growing pressure to turn its back on a “hard” Brexit, German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble made a dramatic offer that the UK would be welcomed back with an “open door” to the EU if the country decided it no longer wanted to leave.
Just before 2.30pm, Mrs May was seen leaving No 10 without commment.
Following the meeting Mrs Foster tweeted: "Discussions are going well with the government and we hope soon to be able to bring this work to a successful conclusion."
