Sir Vince rules out Lib Dem deal with the ‘praying mantis’ Tories

SIR VINCE CABLE will not allow the Liberal Democrats to agree a deal to prop up the Tory government because “having mated with a praying mantis once we are not going to do it again”.

There was speculation this week that the Conservatives could open talks with the Liberal Democrats’ 12 MPS about supporting the Government if the DUP talks fail.

Sir Vince, the former business secretary who is tipped to be the next Liberal Democrat leader, told The Daily Telegraph: “Having mated with a praying mantis once we are not going to do it again. They will have to accept they are a minority government which will stay in power with the consent of the other parties in parliament and run a different style of government.”

Sir Ed Davey, another former Cabinet minister who is expected to say he will stand in the coming days, also said that he would oppose any deal.

The Liberal Democrats were in the coalition with the Conservatives from 2010 until 2015.