Labour ‘to hold talks with Sinn Fein'
GETTY/ REUTERS Sinn Fein are said to be holding talks with Labour
The nationalist party’s seven MPs traditionally do not take their seats in the House of Commons but are in Westminster for two days of talks with parties. According to The Sun, Sinn Fein refused to reveal what they would discuss with Labour and Jeremy Corbyn’s party said no meeting has yet been scheduled. It is feared Sinn Fein could bring down Theresa May’s minority government if they choose to take their seats next week and vote against the Queen’s speech.
That’s entirely up to the Labour party – we’re here to represent Sinn Fein, to represent the constituents who put us here and that’s exactly what we’re here to do Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey
The nationalist party refused to rule out backing a Labour Queen’s Speech if they were offered a referendum on unifying Ireland. Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey said: “That’s entirely up to the Labour party – we’re here to represent Sinn Fein, to represent the constituents who put us here and that’s exactly what we’re here to do. “We’re not here to tell any other party anything else.”
GETTY Sinn Fein traditionally does not take its House of Commons seats
He added: “We have a couple day of meetings, we have requested meetings with all parties – some have got back to us, some haven’t.” If Sinn Fein do take their seats, the Prime Minister’s slender majority is reduced to just four seats. The party intends to have representative in London every week.
REUTERS DUP leader Arlene Foster and her deputy Nigel Dodds outside Number 10
REUTERS Theresa May has been holding talks with the DUP to prop up her minority government
It comes as Mrs May meets all Northern Ireland's main parties as Stormont politicians continue to voice fears her anticipated parliamentary deal with the Democratic Unionists will undermine the peace process. The Prime Minister will hold talks with the DUP, Sinn Fein, the SDLP, the Ulster Unionists and Alliance Party in separate engagements at Downing Street on Thursday afternoon. The move comes amid concerns the Government will compromise its stated impartiality in the region if it enters a confidence and supply deal with the DUP at Westminster, with Sir John Major is one of those urging caution.
Hundreds descend on Parliament to protest Theresa May's DUP deal Mon, June 12, 2017 Crushed by an election gamble that backfired and triggered calls for her resignation, Theresa May stood by her vow to form Britain's next government and lead the country out of the European Union Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 9 Protesters march against the Conservative party alliance with the DUP