Queen's speech delayed as DUP talks continue

The speech by the Queen, in which the government sets out its legislative programme, has been delayed for a few days.

The set-piece event had been due to take place on Monday, 19 June.

The Conservatives are negotiating with the Democratic Unionist Party to get support for their minority government.

Brexit Secretary David Davis predicted some parts of the Tory manifesto would now have to be "pruned" after the Tories lost their Commons majority, a BBC report has indicated.

The Queen's speech is written by the government and presents an outline of its planned legislation for the next parliamentary session.

BBC reports said the decision to delay it revealed an "ambiguity" about what would go in it - with several manifesto pledges expected to be watered down or dropped - but also the need for the Tories to "nail down" DUP support.

A defeat for its Queen's speech would be tantamount to a vote of no confidence in the new minority government, he said.

One of the reasons for the delay is also believed to be because the speech has to be written on goat's skin parchment paper, which takes a few days to dry - and the Tory negotiations with the DUP mean it cannot be ready in time.

Theresa May will face questions later from her backbenchers for the first time since Thursday's election.

They are expected to raise concerns about her leadership style, and press for more details on talks with the DUP.

Mrs May's new cabinet will also meet for the first time after a reshuffle.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Davis said while the Tory election campaign had been disappointing, Mrs May was a "formidable prime minister" and accused people speculating about her leadership of "the absolute height of self-indulgence".

But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had accused Mrs May of "squatting" in No 10, telling the BBC's Andrew Marr Show last Sunday that the country "cannot go on with a period of great instability".

Credit: BBC