DUP leaders held ‘hidden’ meetings with Tory ministers before backing down on their threat to block Hammond’s Budget
- Meetings between Tory ministers and DUP MPs have taken place once a month
- Co-ordination committee has been attended by David Lidington & Julian Smith
- DUP members have included Nigel Dodds, Jeffrey Donaldson and Sammy Wilson
Ministers have been having regular meetings with members of the DUP, it was revealed last night.
Minutes published quietly on the Cabinet Office website suggest meetings have been taking place around once a month.
The six-strong ‘co-ordination committee’ was attended by Theresa May’s de facto deputy, David Lidington, chief whip Julian Smith and Treasury minister Mel Stride on the government side.
The DUP members were Nigel Dodds, the Westminster leader, his chief whip Jeffrey Donaldson and Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson.
Meetings have taken place between Government ministers and the DUP every month, attended by leader Arlene Foster and Westminster leader Nigel Dodds (pictured together)
Although DUP leader Arlene Foster is not on the committee, she has attended every meeting except the first, in July 2017.
Other ministers to have briefed the committee include ex-Brexit Secretary David Davis, Security Minister Ben Wallace and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson.
The confidence and supply agreement between the two parties, which was signed after the last election, gives Mrs May her effective majority.
On Monday, the DUP withdrew its threat to bring down the Budget after the Chancellor pledged millions for Ulster. The party had threatened to vote it down if a Brexit deal treats the province differently to the UK.
The six-strong ‘co-ordination committee’ was attended by Theresa May’s de facto deputy, David Lidington, chief whip Julian Smith (pictured leaving Downing Street last month) and Treasury minister Mel Stride on the government side