'I got us into this mess'

British Prime Minister Theresa May took the blame for the ruling Conservatives' disastrous performance at last week's elections, as she faced her party's angry MPs on Monday, seeking to ward off any challenge to her leadership.

"I got us into this mess, and I'm going to get us out," May told Conservatives MPs during the meeting in Westminster.

May's Conservatives unexpectedly lost their majority in parliament in Thursday's snap general election, causing political chaos ahead of Brexit talks with the European Union set to start next week and prompting calls -- from within her own party -- for her resignation.

But one MP present at the meeting said there was no discussion of a leadership contest, adding "she's won, she's got to be prime minister".

The chaos has also weighed on the pound, which has plunged almost two percent since Thursday, and the government may have to delay the announcement of its policy plans to parliament.

Meanwhile, May began talks yesterday to form an alliance with Northern Ireland's ultra-conservative DUP party in order to cling to power after her election fiasco, leaving the EU's Brexit negotiator wondering when divorce talks will begin.

The premier welcomed the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party to Downing Street in a bid to gain the support of its 10 MPs.

May hopes with the backing of the DUP her Conservatives will again command the majority they lost in last week's election.

The arrival of the DUP's Arlene Foster followed a cabinet meeting, during which ministers went over plans "to deliver the best possible Brexit deal" according to a government spokeswoman.

Also on the cabinet's agenda were the talks to secure an alliance where the DUP back the Conservatives on a vote-by-vote basis in parliament, rather than a formal coalition government.

Before travelling to London, Foster on Monday said her party would go into the talks "with the national interest at heart".