TALKS between the Tories and the Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster aimed at shoring up Theresa May’s position in Parliament were continuing yesterday (Wednesday) after the Fermanagh-south Tyrone MLA found herself in the position of kingmaker at Westminster.

But as this newspaper went to press an announcement looked set to be delayed because of a major fire at a London tower block which resulted in six deaths and a number of casualties.

DUP sources told the media that an announcement following the talks aimed at securing Mrs. May’s government following last week’s snap election would be “inappropriate” because of the tragedy.

Mrs. Foster has described her party’s success in last week’s general election as “truly historic” as it recorded its best ever election result putting her 10 MPs in the position of power.

Following the election in which the Conservatives did not get a majority, Mrs. May now needs DUP votes to prop up her minority administration as she hopes to steer government business, including crucial measures on Brexit, through the Commons.

It’s understood the deal could be revealed next week instead marking an extraordinary period in UK politics in which Mrs. Foster is centre stage.

Talks with the DUP to secure her government broke up on Tuesday night without an agreement.

Mrs. May said the talks had been “productive” while Mrs. Foster, who travelled to Number 10 with deputy leader Nigel Dodds, tweeted afterwards: “Discussions are going well with the government and we hope soon to be able to bring this work to a successful conclusion.”

She said Brexit, counter-terrorism and “doing what’s right” for the Northern Ireland economy were among the key issues being discussed.

“There’s been a lot of commentary around the issues that we are talking about and it won’t surprise anyone that we are talking about matters that pertain, of course, to the nation generally.

“Bringing stability to the UK government in and around issues around Brexit, obviously around counter-terrorism, and then doing what’s right for Northern Ireland in respect of economic matters,” said Mrs. Foster, in an interview on Tuesday evening.

A matter of months after she faced accusations of mishandling the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme which overpaid businesses for using green heating systems and calls to quit as first minster she is now being described by some commentators as the most important woman in politics.

However, neither she nor her party have avoided criticism with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn claiming a link up between the Tories and DUP would be a “coalition of chaos.”

“I’m sure we all look forward to welcoming the Queen’s Speech just as soon as the coalition of chaos has been negotiated,” he told the first sitting of the House of Commons on Tuesday.

Sinn Fein has warned such a move undermines powersharing talks in Northern Ireland and the party’s seven MPs, including new Fermanagh-south Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew, flew to London where they held a briefing with reporters.

Conservative former Prime Minister Sir John Major, who played a role in bringing peace to Northern Ireland, raised concerns about the impact of such a deal.

He told BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme: “The last thing anybody wishes to see is one or other of the communities so aggrieved that the hardmen, who are still there lurking in the corners of the communities, decide that they wish to return to some form of violence.”