The Democratic Unionist party’s ruling executive is scheduled to meet in Belfast on Thursday evening, adding to expectations that a deal might be completed with the Conservatives.
Some DUP sources are indicating that they are “95% there” regarding an arrangement with the Tories that would shore up a minority Conservative government.
The DUP executive would be expected to rubber stamp any deal the party negotiators seal with Theresa May and her team.
Damian Green, the first secretary of state and in effect May’s deputy, said on Wednesday: “There’s still the possibility, there’s every possibility of a DUP deal. The talks have been taking place in a constructive way.”
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Clearly, two political parties, we have some differences. But we have a lot in common.”
The DUP sources also dismissed reports in the Northern Irish press that it was Northern Ireland Office officials who were holding up the deal being discussed with Downing Street.
The sources said there had been some problems with the Treasury in regard to concessions the DUP is seeking for the Northern Ireland economy, including the abolition or cutting of air passenger duty tax.
The DUP is due to allow its 10 MPs to back the Queen’s speech when it is put to a vote in the House of Commons next week.
On Tuesday the DUP said it “would not be taken for granted” in the discussions and complained that the negotiations were not proceeding as they had expected – political code for frustration in the party that Downing Street officials were mishandling the talks in London.
