Britain's Theresa May backtracks on announcement of DUP deal

LONDON: UK Prime Minister Theresa May's office backtracked on a statement that a deal was reached with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, adding to a sense of chaos around her government after last week's disastrous election, and eight days before Brexit talks begin.

"The prime minister has tonight spoken with the DUP to discuss finalising a confidence and supply deal when parliament returns next week," May's office said early Sunday. "As and when details are finalised both parties will put them forward."

The statement came five hours after another in which the government welcomed a commitment from the DUP on "the principles of an outline agreement to support the Conservative Government on a Confidence and Supply basis". A Downing Street spokeswoman declined to explain the discrepancy between the two.

The reversal by May's office adds a further layer of confusion to an already embattled administration that gambled and lost by calling a general election that wiped out its majority, leaving it dependent on a fringe party with unpalatable social views in order to be able to govern.

May told German chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday she plans to start Brexit talks, as planned, in a couple of weeks.

'DEAD WOMAN'
"Theresa May is a dead woman walking, it's just how long she's going to remain on death row," former chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne said on Sunday during a panel discussion on BBC TV's Andrew Marr Show.

Adding to the turmoil, one newspaper said foreign secretary Boris Johnson is preparing to vie for her job after the Conservative party's disastrous election showing. Johnson plans to take advantage of May's weakened state to launch a bid to become prime minister, the Mail on Sunday reported, citing a close ally of Johnson. The foreign secretary called the report "tripe" in a tweet and said he was supporting May.

The DUP's 10 lawmakers would give May a working majority after her own party failed to win enough seats to govern by itself. The "confidence and supply" deal she's seeking would mean the DUP would lend its support to block no confidence votes and pass budgets.

The DUP, in a separate statement, said talks with Conservative party representatives had been positive and will continue this week to work on details, and to reach agreement on the arrangements for the new parliament.