The DUP's Nigel Dodds has said the future of the government is not "entirely in our hands" and that his party are "monitoring events very closely".

Speaking on Sky News as part of a segment called 'Was 2017 the year of the regions' the DUP MP said it had been a "pretty mixed year".

Asked what 2018 had in store Mr Dodds said "nothing is predictable in politics anymore".

He said: "I don't see the Government collapsing anytime soon. I don't see an early general election."

He was asked by Sky News' Adam Boulton: "It's all in your hands isn't it?", in reference to the DUP and Tory confidence-and-supply deal to prop up Theresa May's government.

Mr Dodds replied: "It's not entirely in our hands but we monitor events very carefully to make sure the country keeps moving forward and that Northern Ireland is in a better place."

The DUP deputy leader said the party is "desperately committed" to getting Stormont restored next year.

Northern Ireland has been without a functioning government since it collapsed in January.

Mr Dodds said he believed a Brexit deal will be done without another election.

He said: "This issue is of such importance to the country I think a deal will be done and I think it will get through Parliament without another election.

"The choice for the Conservative parliamentary party is to get a deal and go with what happens or else end up with Jeremy Corbyn in Downing Street.

"And I think for them that is something they will avoid at all costs."

Belfast Telegraph