Over 300,000 people sign petition opposing Tory & DUP government

The Prime Minister needs the DUP's backing, after they secured 10 seats at Westminster.

Speaking on Friday, Theresa May said she would head a minority Conservative government supported by the DUP after the General Election result.

LGBT activists are objecting, expressing concerns over DUP policies.

Despite calls for her to resign, Mrs May insisted as the leader of the largest party in the new parliament, she had a duty to act in the "national interest'' and lead the country through the Brexit negotiations starting in less than a fortnight.

"As we are the party that won most seats and most votes, we are the only party that is in a position to form a government that can do that," she said.

"We will continue to work with our friends and allies in the DUP in particular," she added.

"Our two parties have enjoyed a strong relationship over many years and this gives me the confidence to believe that we will be able to work together in the interests of the whole United Kingdom."

After frantic consultations with DUP leader Arlene Foster, the Prime Minister headed to Buckingham Palace to seek the formal permission of the Queen to form a new government, returning to No 10 to announce she had the "legitimacy'' to continue in office.

However, senior DUP figures made clear they were looking at a limited "confidence and supply'' arrangement, rather than a more formal coalition.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams was sceptical.

"History will show, alliances between Ulster unionism and British unionism has always ended in tears,'' he said.

"It is far better to look to our own place, to all of the people here, to deal with the people of this island, this part of the island as one community," he added.

The Democratic Unionists have emerged from the election in the position of being king makers at Westminster.