Following Times story this morning on............>

UK: Following Times story this morning on potential movement from DUP on Brexit

deal (see 10:06BST), which spurred sterling gains, there remains uncertainty as

to how credible the prospect of DUP acquiescing to deal is. 

- DUP vehemently denied the prospect of supporting a Brexit deal that "divides

the internal market of the UK", with leader Arlene Foster stating "anonymous

sources lead to nonsense stories".

- But, her denial does not rule out the potential for 'alternative arrangements'

to allow for regulatory checks on Irish Sea as long as customs union membership

for NI is gone. 

- Key to any deal from the DUP side will be democratic approval for such

actions, given there are already some divisions in internal market given

devolution of powers to Stormont and the differing regulatory, tax, etc.

environments. 

- Irish gov't has said it has not seen proof of any change in DUP position, and

in any case would likely be wary of giving say on backstop to Stormont.