19:31

The former Irish taoiseach John Bruton says he hopes the DUP will “persuade the government to stay in the customs union” that will guarantee a seamless border between Northern Ireland and the republic, Should the two parties agree a deal to prop up Theresa May.

He warned that the pact between the Tories and the DUP could jeopardise power-sharing talks because the government, which has a position of guaranteeing the Good Friday agreement along with the Irish government would no longer be neutral.



It was “a great worry ... that a government here in London that is dependent on one of the contending political parties in a fraught political situation in Ireland might not be seen to be as impartial as required and impartiality is vital”, he said.

Bruton also said Ireland’s experience of coalition showed that “confidence and supply agreements” such as that being sought by the Conservatives do work, but that they take time.

“I think the Dáil [the Irish parliament] had to adjourn and reconvene five or six times before our confidence and supply agreement was reached” between the two main parties in the present government.

“That is prudent. The DUP have constituents to look after, interests to protect,” he said.