Tories closing in on DUP deal

A DEAL between the Tories and the DUP appeared close last night after the unionists indicated they had won extra cash for Northern Ireland.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the DUP’s chief whip at Westminster, said the chances of reaching an agreement to prop up the minority government were now ‘very good’.

He denied reports his party had demanded £1billion for the NHS and £1billion for infrastructure.

But he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme that infrastructure in Northern Ireland ‘fell well behind’ the rest of the UK during the Troubles, when money was instead spent on security.

He said: ‘What we are asking for is some help to make up that deficit.’

Last night a source from the party told the Mail they did not expect the final deal to be sealed until next week.