Northern Ireland

DUP leader refuses to deny party involved in secret 'plan B' Brexit negotiations with several British government ministers

Former cabinet minister Boris Johnson, with DUP leader Arlene Foster and deputy leader Nigel Dodds, was the guest speaker at the party's annual conference in Belfast on Saturday. Picture by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press
Former cabinet minister Boris Johnson, with DUP leader Arlene Foster and deputy leader Nigel Dodds, was the guest speaker at the party's annual conference in Belfast on Saturday. Picture by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press Former cabinet minister Boris Johnson, with DUP leader Arlene Foster and deputy leader Nigel Dodds, was the guest speaker at the party's annual conference in Belfast on Saturday. Picture by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press

THE DUP is said to be involved in talks with several British government ministers about an alternative Brexit plan if the current deal is voted down in the House of Commons.

Arlene Foster, the DUP leader, refused to deny the reports which appeared in a number of Sunday newspapers.

It has been claimed that the ministers involved have been acting without the knowledge of Downing Street.

Mrs Foster said her party was having "conversations right across government".

"I don't think that will surprise you. We are talking to everybody right across government," she told the BBC.

"We are talking to people on the remain side, we are talking to brexiteers, we are talking to everyone, as I think you would expect us to do," added Mrs Foster.

The Sunday Times quoted a DUP source as stating that the party was in talks with figures who "might assert themselves".

"At that point people in the cabinet will say we've got to have a plan B. They will have our support in taking a different approach."

It comes amid separate reports yesterday that five remain-supporting ministers, including Chancellor Philip Hammond, have agreed a plan to either force Mrs May to accept a softer 'plan B' deal or face mass resignations if the existing text fails to get parliamentary approval.