Theresa May’s deal with the DUP at breaking point after warning shots fired on Budget votes

THERESA May’s Confidence & Supply deal with the DUP was at breaking point last night after the Northern Irish MPs abstained on Budget votes.

Firing a warning shot across her bows, the party also backed a Labour amendment from Jeremy Corbyn on child poverty as part of the Finance Bill.

It comes despite the party trousering an extra £1billion for their pet causes in the Budget.

But the move threatens the deal struck with Arlene Foster’s party following last year’s General Election.

The DUP had agreed to support the government on all motions of confidence, on the Queen’s Speech as well as the Budget and associated finance and money bills.

DUP MPs are upset over the draft EU Withdrawal agreement that they believe drives a wedge between Northern Ireland and the rest of Britain.

But Mrs May insists that her draft withdrawal deal is the right one for Northern Ireland.

This morning Cabinet Minister David Gauke admitted there “is a regulatory difference potentially under the backstop” but it wouldn’t involve customs, allowing goods to continue to be traded freely.

But he said there was no hope of trying to change the deal now – saying “the withdrawal agreement is essentially done… now we need to move on to the next stage, to flesh our what our future relationship will be.”

European leaders will meet this weekend to sign off the draft withdrawal deal and framework for the future partnership.

Mrs May will fly out to Brussels later this week ahead of talks – as Tory rebels trying to oust her don’t have enough support to move her as PM.

Brexiteers who want to replace her still are several letters short of the 48 needed to spark a vote of no confidence.

Mrs May also faces a pro-EU revolt later today as Remainers try and force through an anti-Brexit amendment to the same finance bill in Parliament.

Former minister Jo Johnson will lead the charge as he makes his first speech from the backbenches.

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