Conservatives sign deal with DUP to bolster minority government

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The leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, Arlene Foster, has reached an agreement to support UK Prime Minister Theresa May's minority government on Monday, according to the BBC.

According to the terms of the deal, Northern Ireland will receive an extra 1 billion pounds (1.3 billion US dollars) from the state over the next two years.

Prime Minister Theresa May (L) greets DUP leader Arlene Foster at Downing Street on June 26, 2017. /VCG Photo

The agreement was signed in Downing Street by Tory chief whip Gavin Williamson and the DUP's Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, with both May and Foster in attendance.

"Today we have reached an agreement with the Conservative Party on support for government in parliament," Foster said.

"This agreement will operate to deliver a stable government in the United Kingdom's national interest at this vital time," she added.

PM Theresa May stands with Britain's First Secretary of State Damian Green, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Arlene Foster, DUP Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds, as DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson shakes hands with Britain's Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury inside 10 Downing Street in central London on June 26, 2017. /VCG Photo

The two sides have been engaged in negotiations about a coalition agreement since the June 8 snap election when May lost her parliamentary majority and faced the prospect of forming a minority government.

The Conservatives have 317 seats in the 650-seat parliament after the election and need the support of the DUP's 10 MPs to be able to govern.

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