Tory fears emerge over DUP deal
BRITAIN: Prime Minister Theresa May is facing a mounting revolt from her own party over plans to form a minority government with the DUP amid fears it could put the Northern Ireland peace process at risk.
It is believed more than a dozen Tory MPS have significant concerns about the prospect of the deal and have warned it could lead to the collapse of the Good Friday Agreement, also known as the Belfast Agreement.
Sinn Fein is understood to be furious at some of the DUP’S demands, which include cutting off foreign funding for parties in Northern Ireland. The policy would effectively end United States financial support for Sinn Fein.
The DUP is also expected to demand a new right to march, seen as code for allowing more Orange Order marches through Catholic areas.
Arlene Foster, the DUP leader, will fly to London for Downing Street talks with May as she pledged to act in the national interest.
The growing concerns in the Conservative Party came as negotiations descended into chaos after Downing Street wrongly announced an agreement had been reached.
No 10 said on Sunday that the DUP had agreed to the principles of an outline agreement. The announcement surprised the DUP, which said talks were still continuing as Gavin Williamson, the government’s chief whip, held discussions in Belfast.
Less than five hours later No 10 was forced to issue a clarifying statement and blamed the email on a breakdown in communications.
A source said: ‘‘It was the end of a very long week and it should have been explained better.’’
Tom Tugendhat, a Tory MP, said: ‘‘Three questions on DUP deal. What effect on Northern Ireland peace/uk Government neutrality? Equal rights? Getting Brexit deal/irish Government reaction/ open border?’’
Another Tory MP said: ‘‘This is a bad, bad policy. The Good Friday Agreement set out that No 10 would be neutral. Forty years of domestic policy has been to stay out of Irish sectarianism. This puts that at risk.’’
It comes after Jonathan Powell, a key adviser to former prime minister Tony Blair when he brokered peace in Northern Ireland, said: ‘‘Even John Major didn’t resort to relying on DUP ... This [DUP deal] could undo 20 years of work in Northern Ireland.’’
Other Conservative MPS have raised concerns about the DUP’S opposition to gay marriage and abortion.
Ruth Davidson, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, on Saturday highlighted a speech she made in Belfast about the importance of equal marriage.
However, she was given a ‘‘categoric assurance’’ from May that any arrangement between the two parties would see ‘‘absolutely no rescission of LGBTI rights in the rest of the UK’’.
There are also significant divides over benefit cuts after DUP sources said the party wants to ‘‘kill austerity’’.
Foster on Sunday said negotiations with the Conservatives had been ‘‘positive’’.
She said: ‘‘We had very good discussions with the Conservative Party in relation to how we could support them in forming a national government – one that would bring stability to the nation – and those discussions continue. We’ve made good progress but the discussions continue.’’
Earlier, Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said a DUP/TORY agreement would ‘‘not necessarily’’ undermine the peace process.
Flanagan said he had raised the matter with Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire.
Flanagan was asked about suggestions that any Conservative deal with the DUP would undermine Westminster’s impartiality as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, also known as the Belfast Agreement.
‘‘Well, not necessarily the case. Of course, it remains to be seen what the nature of that deal is.’’
Flanagan added the European Union member states are ‘‘ready to roll’’ when it comes to Brexit talks. These are due to start within days although they could be delayed given the political uncertainty.
‘‘I’m conscious of the fact that this clock is ticking. We’re a year now since the referendum. We lost some time over the last seven weeks during the election campaign.
‘‘Europe is ready to start these negotiations. Ireland is ready to sit with our 26 EU colleagues and commence the negotiations because uncertainty is the enemy of stability and business.’’
– Telegraph Group