A deal between British Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of Northern Ireland could be delayed until next week after a massive fire engulfed the Grenfell Towers in London early on Wednesday killing at least six people and injuring 74 others, DUP sources said.
According to BBC, a deal between both parties was supposed to be announced on Wednesday thereby helping May form government in the UK after her party emerged as the largest party in the recently concluded elections but failed to win a majority. But the deal would be delayed until next week due to the fire incident in London. Brexit negotiations that were scheduled to begin next week was also likely to be postponed.
"Deal between DUP and government could be delayed until next week because of the aftermath of #grenfelltower and diary commitments of both leaders. Sources say delay over Govt deal with DUP not cos talks are "stuttering" - 95% agreed between both sides. Delay to deal with DUP means likely postponement of Queens speech; and possibly Brexit talks," BBC political reporter Norman Smith said on Twitter.
Sources also told the BBC that both parties were close to reaching an agreement so that May could form the government but the fire at Grenfell Towers in London made an announcement on the deal on Wednesday "inappropriate". Talks were, however, not in trouble, sources added.
Both the Conservative Party and the DUP were now focused on finalising the "terms and conditions" of the deal following a meeting between May and DUP leader Arlene Foster on Tuesday, the DUP source told the channel.
Meanwhile, sources from Downing Street told the channel that talks of a delay in the announcement of the deal were "not coming from us." If the announcement of the deal is delayed, then the Queen's speech, which is supposed to happen on Monday, June 19, could also be delayed by at least a week.
The Tories need the support of 10 DUP MPs to form the government in the UK after they failed to win a majority in the general elections. May would remain the prime minister of the country while the DUP MPs would play a critical role in helping the Conservatives remain in power.
