Theresa May’s Tories threaten peace process by getting into bed with the DUP

The similarities between the policies of the DUP and of US president Donald Trump are very striking – both climate change deniers, anti-abortion, anti LGBT rights.

The DUP is also a creationist party, that is, they don’t accept Darwin’s theory of evolution, but believe the world was created in six days, in 4004 BC. They want children to be taught this in schools. This is crazy.

But most disturbing is the fact that the DUP has strong links to terrorist organisations, such as Ulster Resistance.

The group helped the Ulster Volunteer force smuggle arms into the UK, and brokered illegal arms deals with the apartheidsouth african regime, for which several members were arrested.

They claim these days are behind them, but in 2007 a revived Ulster Resistance claimed it “had the capability and resources to strike with deadly force”, and Irish experts believe that there are at least seven divisions in Northern Ireland, and a support brigade in the UK.

Does anyone really believe that the DUP have changed their spots?

A link between the Conservatives and the DUP could easily destabilise the Good Friday process in Northern Ireland. How can they be an honest broker? Any concessions allowing Protestant marches to be routed through Catholic areas could take us back 40 years. Northern Ireland is, and always has been, a tinderbox, with fallout to the UK mainland.

Discussions with the DUP show how desperate the Tories are to cling on to power. Nobody in this country voted for this, Theresa May is playing with fire and Northern Ireland could end up in flames if there are substantial concessions to the DUP.

All so the Tories can stay in power. ANNE WIMBERLEY Belmont Road

Edinburgh