Theresa May has apologised to Tory MPs for the party's election performance, telling them "I got us into this mess I'll get us out of it."
Addressing a meeting of backbenchers, the PM reportedly said she would serve as "long as you want me to do". One senior backbencher told the BBC that she had appeared "contrite and genuine but not on her knees". It comes amid confusion over whether the Queen's Speech will be delayed as talks continue to form a government.
A senior minister has said he was "optimistic" that the Conservatives and Democratic Unionists will reach an agreement in the coming days, that will allow a proposed Tory minority government to get its plans for the year ahead through the Commons, possibly as early on next Monday. But Damian Green said he could not confirm the the Queen's Speech will proceed as planned on 19 June. Labour said the government was "in chaos". At the same time, the first formal meeting of UK and EU officials since the election has concluded without a date being officially set for the start of Brexit talks.
Mrs May has addressed a packed meeting of Tory MPs for 90 minutes after her failure to win the election outright prompted days of speculation about her future.
According to reports of the meeting, she accepted personal responsibility for calling the snap election and for the result, which saw her party lose its overall majority and have to rely on the support of others, telling them: "I got us into this mess, I'll get us out of it." On her own future, she said: "I will serve you as long as you want me"
Mrs May, who earlier chaired a two-hour cabinet meeting, reportedly told the party's 1922 committee that the DUP would not have a "veto" on the government's agenda, and therewould be no watering down of equalities laws on which the two parties disagree.