Downing Street has rowed back on claims that an official deal has been completed with the Democratic Unionist Party hours after issuing a statement saying a 'confidence and supply' deal was reached.

In an embarrassing error made yesterday evening, a spokesman for Downing Street said 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.'

He added: 'We welcome this commitment, which can provide the stability and certainty the whole country requires as we embark on Brexit and beyond.'

Downing Street has rowed back on claims that an official deal has been completed with the Democratic Unionist Party

A spokesman for Downing Street said the Democratic Unionist Party 'have agreed to the principles of an outline agreement to support the Conservative Government on a confidence and supply basis'. Pictured is Mrs May shopping yesterday in Waitrose

Many MPs claimed they weren't prepared to compromise their views should a deal with the DUP go ahead

A spokesman for the Northern Irish party said the talks were in line with leader Arlene Foster's 'commitment to explore how we might bring stability to the nation at this time of great challenge'

However, after the DUP, founded by Ian Paisley in the Seventies, said discussions with the Tories would continue next week, a Number 10 spokeswoman was forced to backtrack.

Speaking today, she said: 'The Prime Minister has tonight spoken with the DUP to discuss finalising a confidence and supply deal when Parliament returns next week.

'We will welcome any such deal being agreed, as it will provide the stability and certainty the whole country requires as we embark on Brexit and beyond.

'As and when details are finalised both parties will put them forward.'

A spokesman for the Northern Irish party said the talks were in line with leader Arlene Foster's 'commitment to explore how we might bring stability to the nation at this time of great challenge'.

He continued: 'The talks so far have been positive. Discussions will continue next week to work on the details and to reach agreement on arrangements for the new Parliament.'

If an agreement is reached, the 10 MPs from the DUP could prove crucial in supporting the Conservatives on key votes after Thursday's election saw Mrs May lose control of the Commons.

Arlene Foster (centre) yesterday presented her expanded group of Westminster MPs following a successful general election. They are (from left) Emma Little-Pengelly, Gregory Campbell, Sammy Wilson, Nigel Dodds, Jim Shannon, Mrs Foste, Gavin Robinson, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Paul Girvan, David Simpson and Ian Paisley jnr

Ms Foster celebrates with DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds at the Belfast count centre on Thursday

The party was founded by the late Ian Paisley, who died in 2014. Mrs Foster was appointed as leader in 2015

It means the DUP would back the Tories on matters which could force the Prime Minister to resign - for example the Queen's Speech which is considered a key measure of Parliament's confidence in the Government.

The Northern Irish party would also side with the Conservatives or abstain in the event of a vote of no confidence.

Petition garners support form 600,000 A petition against British Prime Minister Theresa May's deal with the ultra-conservative Democratic Unionist Party garnered nearly 600,000 signatures Saturday as concern grew over her plan to govern with their support. 'This is a disgusting, desperate attempt to stay in power,' read the petition, which outlined some of the DUP's more controversial views including opposition to gay marriage and abortion. The petition echoed some of the slogans at a leftist demonstration by a few hundred people outside Downing Street on Saturday who chanted: 'Racist, sexist, anti-gay, the DUP has go to go'. Some Conservative MPs also spoke out on Saturday as officials announced that Northern Ireland's DUP had signed up to 'an outline agreement' to back a minority Conservative government. May needs the support of the DUP's 10 MPs to be able to govern after losing her parliamentary majority in Thursday's general election. The details of the agreement are not yet known but Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston said it 'simply won't work' if it includes any change to abortion laws or 'dilution' of gay rights. Wollaston also said she was opposed to the death penalty and creationism being taught in schools, policies that have been supported by some DUP politicians. Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who is gay, said she had received 'assurances' from May that there would be no change to gay rights for the rest of Britain. Gay marriage is banned in Northern Ireland, as is abortion except for when the life of the mother is in danger. Advertisement

Supply means the DUP will support any bills necessary for the government to receive the money it needs to enact its policies - such as the Budget.

However, it is unlikely that there will be an agreed policy agenda - instead there will be frequent negotiations on an issue by issue basis.

There would be no DUP ministers, but the party may sit on the Government side of the Commons - a move which could frustrate centre and left-leaning MPs in the Conservatives.

Several Tory MPs already claimed their principles, which oppose the views of the DUP, wouldn't be changed ahead of the deal being announced.

Tom Tugendhat, MP for Tonbridge, Edenbridge and Malling, wrote on Twitter on Friday: 'I joined a party that introduced equal marriage, backs civil rights and defends freedom of faith. Those principles won't be compromised.'

Heidi Allen, MP for South Cambridgeshire, said she was 'deeply unhappy' with the idea of a formal coalition hours before the original announcement was made.

Writing on Twitter, she said: 'Deeply unhappy with [the] idea of a formal coalition with DUP. We should run with minority Gov & work cross-party on big issues. UK demands grown up politics.'

Yesterday, it was revealed Mrs May had sent her chief whip Gavin Williamson to Belfast for coalition talks with the DUP after the election left the Tories eight seats short of the 326 required for a majority.

The Prime Minister made clear she wants support from her 'friends and allies' in the DUP to secure her minority administration ahead of the Queen's Speech on June 19.

The DUP is the leading unionist party in Northern Ireland and it is supposed to share power with republican Sinn Fein but bitter feuds have left the devolved assembly suspended.

Westminster is supposed to act as an honest broker between the parties under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

Sinn Fein was already suspicious of Tory neutrality because of the party's traditional closeness to the DUP and any form of coalition will chill relations further.

The deal would raise the prospect of a long-term collapse in Northern Ireland devolution. The current row was triggered by Mrs Foster refusing to resign as First Minister over a green energy funding scandal.

This morning, several hundred protesters gathered in Parliament Square to voice their anger at Theresa May's government and her alliance with the Democratic Unionist Party.

People carrying placards reading anti-DUP and pro-Jeremy Corbyn stood peacefully in Westminster and listened to speaches from Stand Up To Racisim and the Stop The War Coalition.

Musicians performed to the protesters, who seemed in good spirits. One organiser led chants of 'racist, sexist, anti-gay, the DUP has got to go'.

Hundreds descended on outside parliament to protest Theresa's May's formation of a minority government with the Democratic Unionist Party

People carrying placards reading anti-DUP and pro-Jeremy Corbyn message as they marched on Downing Street

A woman dons a shirt with an image of Jeremy Corbyn that has been mocked-up to resemble the distinctive Che Guevara illustration (left). A man holds a makeshift gallow and noose with 'well hung' written across - referencing the hung parliament election result

A man wearing a black anonymous mask (left) holds a can of beer and an electronic cigarette next to a balaclava-clad man wearing a tai-dye shirt (middle)