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LONDON, June 10-- A controversial working relationship between the British Conservatives and the North Ireland Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) was agreed in principle Saturday. The so called supply and confidence deal, aimed at keeping Prime Minister Theresa May in power at 10 Downing Street, came under immediate attack. Liberal Democrat Vince Cable, who served as a minister in the previous coalition government, called on details of a deal struck between the two parties to be published. Cable, beaten in the 2017 election, regained a parliamentary seat in Thursday's general election, which ended with the Conservatives being forced to form a minority government. The Conservatives won 318 seats, not enough for a majority in the Commons, but buoyed by the 10 DUP MPs. It would give May a working majority. A confidence and supply deal falls short of a full coalition arrangement, but it means May would have enough votes to carry major issues in the Commons. The agreement emerged after Gavin Williamson, the Conservative Party's chief whip, spent the day in Belfast holding talks with DUP leader Arlene Foster and key DUP members. Details of the deal will be discussed by May's cabinet which is scheduled to meet at 10 Downing Street on Monday morning. A spokesman for May said Saturday night: "We can confirm that the Democratic Unionist party have agreed to the principles of an outline agreement to support the Conservative government on a confidence and supply basis when parliament returns next week. | 
