RE-ELECTED BLACK Country Tory MPs say it is important that a deal is done between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionist Party despite their personal views on the northern Irish party’s social policy.

A potential pact with the DUP to prop up a Tory minority government was still awaited this week following Prime Minister Theresa May’s failure to secure a Conservative Party majority on polling day on June 8.

Stourbridge MP Margot James told the News she’s concerned at the length of time it has been taking to reach a deal and she admitted she admitted she finds the DUP’s views on issues such as the LGBT community and women “completely abhorrent”.

But she stressed: “One has to set these things aside if that’s the difference between being able to govern or not.

“Obviously it isn’t the arrangement I would want but unfortunately the Lib Dems already signalled they were not open to the idea of a coalition with us.

“That only really only left us with the DUP who had enough seats to make a difference.

“Of course what the DUP stands for is completely abhorrent to me.

“If I thought the influence of the DUP would extend to social policy, and in particular policies affecting our LGBT community and women, I would be lobbying against such an arrangement. But there is no chance of that happening whatsoever.

“Policy is developed in northern Ireland which is why they can stay in the Dark Ages – they’re not going to put that on the rest of us.”

Dudley South MP Mike Wood confessed he has had messages from constituents worried about the Tory Party’s decision to seek support from the DUP which - as well as having controversial views on abortion and gay rights – has been criticised for its links to loyalist paramilitaries.

But he stressed he doesn't "think there's anything to worry about".

He said Theresa May has made it clear equality and LGBT rights are "red line issues for her and in the party" and he added: "It will be a Conservative minority government with support on economy measures and Brexit measures - this isn't a coalition “I'd rather we had a Conservative majority so we didn't need to count on anyone else's vote but we just have to make it work to deliver changes the country needs and the economic and political stability on which people's jobs and mortgages depend."

Despite the Tory losses in the General Election, Mr Wood still believes Mrs May is the right person for the top job and he said: "She's a very firm leader - she's a safe pair of hands, she's fantastic at handling a crisis - all of these qualities are going to be needed as we go through Brexit negotiations."

Although he did admit: "She's shown over the last 12 months she's rather better at governing than campaigning."