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The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party has resigned after it was revealed he had been charged with historical sex offences.
The DUP confirmed on Friday that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, who has led the party since 2021, is stepping down and is the suspect at the centre of a scandal.
In a statement released on Friday, the DUP said: “The party chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect.
“In accordance with the party rules, the party officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.”
Police revealed a 61-year-old man had been charged on Friday and a 57-year-old woman was arrested and charged alongside the politician for aiding and abetting additional offences.
A police spokesman told The Independent: “Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences.”
Party officers have appointed Gavin Robinson MP as interim leader.
Sir Jeffrey, Northern Ireland’s longest-serving MP, was recognised by the Queen in her 2016 Birthday Honours and given a knighthood.
Key Points
- Sir Jeffrey quits as he is charged with historic sex offences
- Woman, 57, arrested and charged
- Both suspects due to appear before magistrates next month
- Gavin Robinson, DUP interim leader likely to succeed Donaldson
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson resigns after being charged with ‘historic’ offences
The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party has resigned after it was revealed he had been charged with historical offences.
The DUP confirmed on Friday that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, who has led the party since 2021, is stepping down and is the suspect at the centre of a scandal.
In a statement released on Friday, the DUP said: “The Party Chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect.
“In accordance with the Party Rules, the Party Officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.”
Full police statement as DUP leader arrested for historic sex offences
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has resigned as the leader of the DUP after he was charged with historical sex offences.
A police spokesman told The Independent: “Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences.
“A 57-year-old woman was also arrested and charged at the time for aiding and abetting additional offences.
“Both are due to appear before Newry Magistrates Court on 24 April.
“As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.”
Woman, 57, arrested and charged
A 57-year-old woman was arrested and charged alongside Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, for allegedly aiding and abetting additional offences.
A police spokesman told The Independent: “Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences.
“A 57-year-old woman was also arrested and charged at the time for aiding and abetting additional offences.”
Jane Dalton29 March 2024 13:50 1711720644MP’s website deleted after DUP suspends him
Lagan Valley MP Sir Jeffrey has been suspended from the DUP pending the outcome of the judicial process.
Overnight, his website and social media accounts, including on X, Facebook and Instagram, were deleted.
Donaldson ended DUP Stormont boycott weeks ago
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson made the decision to bring the DUP back to powersharing in Northern Ireland just weeks ago.
As leader, he steered the party’s two-year boycott of Northern Ireland’s political institutions in protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements.
After protracted negotiations, the DUP agreed to return to Stormont last month, following the agreement of a new deal and a series of assurances around Northern Ireland’s constitutional position within the United Kingdom.
DUP agrees deal to end boycott of Northern Ireland government
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says deal is subject to government passing new legislation over post-Brexit trade
Jane Dalton29 March 2024 14:24 1711723517
DUP leader accused colleagues of briefing against party
Last summer, Sir Jeffrey accused some colleagues of briefing against the DUP:
Donaldson accuses DUP colleagues of briefing against the party
The DUP leader expressed frustration at members he claimed were manufacturing attacks on the party to advance their own agendas.
Jane Dalton29 March 2024 14:45 1711724761Questions to emerge over future of powersharing deal
The shock resignation of the DUP leader is bound to prompt questions over the future of the deal that restored powersharing in Northern Ireland.
The agreement hinged on his backing, and much will depend on who ultimately replaces him.
East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson, who has become interim leader, is a long-time ally of Sir Jeffrey and a firm backer of the return to Stormont. Mr Robinson would be an early favourite to become the permanent successor and his elevation would be unlikely to prompt a change in the party’s recent enthusiastic backing for the devolved institutions.
However, his election as leader is not a foregone conclusion and it remains to be seen whether other candidates, potentially more sceptical of the return to powersharing, will emerge.
Gavin Robinson is a long-time ally of Sir Jeffrey
(PA)Jane Dalton29 March 2024 15:06 1711725317
Youngest person ever elected to Stormont: Donaldson in profile
Who is Jeffrey Donaldson? The DUP leader accused of historical sex offences
The Independent looks at the life and career of the influential unionist
Jane Dalton29 March 2024 15:15 1711726217Ex-MEP sorry Donaldson quit
Conservative former MEP David Bannerman said he was sorry to see Sir Jeffrey quitting.
Jane Dalton29 March 2024 15:30 1711727117‘I won’t be bullied’ – Donaldson
After Sir Jeffrey steered a DUP boycott of power-sharing in Northern Ireland over Brexit arrangements, the party finally agreed to return to Stormont in February. It followed the agreement of a new deal on trade arrangements and a series of measures aimed at providing assurances around Northern Ireland’s constitutional position within the United Kingdom.
However, the DUPs dealings with government were not universally welcome and Sir Jeffrey told the Commons in January that he had been subjected to threats during the negotiations.
Later, a PSNI spokesperson said no offences were detected following an investigation - while Sir Jeffrey said a decision was made not to press charges.
He said: “We must stand against those who would seek to bully with violent threats. I wasn’t intimidated out of politics 30 years ago and I won’t be intimidated in 2024.”
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