A septic deal or just an ordinary political negotiation? The Conservative-Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) deal has divided political opinion in Cumbria.

The Conservatives and DUP reached a deal on Monday after two weeks of negotiations under which Northern Ireland will receive an extra £1 billion in funding over the next two years.

In return, Theresa May secured the support of the DUP's 10 MPs in key Commons votes in areas such as the Queen's Speech, Brexit, budgets and national security.

The deal keeps the Conservatives in power and will ensure Brexit gets through Parliament.

But the extra funding provided to Northern Ireland has been criticised by politicians in Scotland, Wales and parts of England who have demanded more money for their regions.

Northern Ireland will receive £1.5 billion in funding - consisting of £1 billion of new money and £500 million of previously announced funds - to be spent over the next two years on infrastructure, health and education.

Northern Ireland already has the highest public expenditure per person but made the lowest tax contribution, according the figures from the Office for National Statistics.

But Conservative councillor Gareth Ellis, who sits on both Cumbria County and Carlisle City Council, doesn't think devolved governments should be complaining about the extra funding.

He said: "I have no sympathy for the wailing of the Scottish Government and Welsh Assembly - they have been played at their own game. It's the nature of politics."

Mr Ellis said such negotiations and deals like the Conservatives and DUP are normal in European and local UK politics and difficult decisions had to be made. He argued that in terms of Government spending on the whole, £1 billion was "a drop in a drop in the ocean".

But former Labour city councillor Elsie Martlew, wife of former Labour MP Eric Martlew, is angry and frustrated with what she called "a septic little deal".

She said: "£1 billion extra pounds investment to keep Theresa May and her government in power is just a septic deal with a party that I abhor.

"They're tarnished as well with the troubles in Northern Ireland. Their social policies aren't even social on abortion and gay rights. They are just antithesis of what I believe in."

Mrs Martlew said it wasn't a negotiation but rather a desperate cling onto power. Furthermore she said the deal was unnecessary as the DUP would not have voted against the Queen's Speech.

"I'm sure it will come back to haunt Theresa May," said Mrs Martlew.

Alan Smith, Labour leader of Allerdale Council, criticised the deal and Mrs May for clinging onto power at any cost. During the election campaign, MRs May repeated that there was "no magic money tree", a statement that has now been widely ridiculed following the deal.

Mr Smith said: "If they can find £1 billion for Northern Ireland, that's austerity gone. She's got no credible defence for it any more has she?"