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Fears that DUP deal with May will result in concessions to unionism

 New Government. After a disastrous result following a disastrous campaign, Theresa May calls on the Queen. Then she calls on Arlene Foster. By Ian Knox
 New Government. After a disastrous result following a disastrous campaign, Theresa May calls on the Queen. Then she calls on Arlene Foster. By Ian Knox  New Government. After a disastrous result following a disastrous campaign, Theresa May calls on the Queen. Then she calls on Arlene Foster. By Ian Knox

THERE were fears last night that a DUP deal with Theresa May could result in concessions which disproportionately favour unionism.

The Conservative leader announced that she would form a government with the backing of the DUP after a disastrous election saw her fall short of a House of Commons majority.

Mrs May spoke of the north's largest party as "friends and allies" as speculation mounted over the price it would extract for its support.

SDLP MLA Claire Hanna claimed the DUP's track record in negotiations often resulted in "partisan resource allocation".

"I fear they will seek the totemic concessions on things like parading and the military covenant rather than acting in the wider interest," she said.

 New Government. After a disastrous result following a disastrous campaign, Theresa May calls on the Queen. Then she calls on Arlene Foster. By Ian Knox
 New Government. After a disastrous result following a disastrous campaign, Theresa May calls on the Queen. Then she calls on Arlene Foster. By Ian Knox  New Government. After a disastrous result following a disastrous campaign, Theresa May calls on the Queen. Then she calls on Arlene Foster. By Ian Knox

Alliance leader Naomi Long also claimed the Stormont talks process was in "real danger" and warned about the prospect of Arlene Foster's party dictating the direction of travel on Brexit.

"This region only works on the basis of sharing and interdependence. That is made all the more difficult when one side of the two diametrically opposed parties here has untold influence over the government."

Mrs Foster said the DUP "will always strive for the best deal for Northern Ireland and its people" but also wanted "the best for all of the United Kingdom".