Tory alliance with DUP sparks Downing Street demo as angry protesters descend on Whitehall

PROTESTERS have marched on Downing Street to protest the alliance between the Tories and Democratic Unionist Party.

Waving placards boasting “Kick the Tories Out” and “Pray the DUP away”, angry protesters yesterday slammed the Conservative win and minority government formed with the hardline DUP.

Raging protesters criticised Theresa May’s decision to join forces with the DUP, after the Prime Minister lost huge ground in the snap election.

Chants echoed around Downing Street of the new alliance, with organisers from the Stand Up to Racism and Stop the War speaking to the angry crowds.

Those protesting were particularly furious over the DUP’s conservative views, which include opinions on gay rights and abortion.

It comes as the DUP agreed to prop up Theresa May’s diminished Government in a “confidence and supply basis”.

Downing Street said the Northern Ireland party has given an “outline agreement” approval in principle in a lifeline for the Tories.

A  has since been signed by more than 400,000 people, calling for the DUP and Tories to be stopped from forming a minority government.

But a Number 10 spokesman said: “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.

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

“The details will be put forward for discussion and agreement at a Cabinet meeting on Monday.”

Founded by Ian Paisley, The Democratic Unionist Party is the largest party in Northern Ireland, with a narrow electoral edge over republicans Sinn Fein who refuse to sit in Parliament.

Led by Arlene Foster, they are staunchly pro-union and pro-Brexit, making them a natural fit for a deal with the Tories.

Their campaign manifesto included retaining the “triple lock” on pensions and cutting VAT for tourism businesses.

The DUP also supports a nuclear deterrent, which puts them at odds with historically anti-Trident Jeremy Corbyn.

Some of the key details from the turbulent election night:

• Hung parliament confirmed with Tories missing out on majority of 326 with by finishing on 318 seats – down from 330
• Labour forecast to take 262 – up from 232 in 2015.
• Theresa May vows to stay on and form a Government with the help of the 10 DUP MPs
• But she faces mounting pressure from within her party – with the odds slashed on Boris Johnson to be the next PM
• Fears grow Brexit negotiations could be sunk or delayed after the shock result
• Lib Dem leader Tim Farron clings on despite only making modest gains
• Ex -Deputy PM Nick Clegg loses Sheffield Hallam seat but Vince Cable regains Twickenham
• Home Secretary Amber Rudd holds on to Hastings seat by barely 300 votes
• Huge losses for SNP as former chief Alex Salmond and deputy leader Angus Robertson are both beaten by the Tories.
• Labour on march in London beating Tories to Battersea constituency but Tory Zac Goldsmith takes back Richmond with a majority of just 45
• Pound slides two per cent as exit poll predicts hung parliament
• Ukip voters desert party with vote share down by ten per cent
• Growing fears that Mrs May will have to call a second election later this year
• Jeremy Corbyn claims he won the election after making significant gains across the country
• Downing Street has confirmed that the cabinet hitters WILL keep their jobs

The DUP won ten seats in the Geneal Election.

The party is likely to press the Conservatives to give special attention to border issues after Brexit.

It will want to ensure there is no threat to a soft border with the Republic of Ireland because of the economic benefits it brings to the province.

But there are fears in Westminster that there will need to be checks on the only land border the UK will have with the EU.