Northern Ireland DUP faces calls for independent probe into Jeffrey Donaldson abuse scandal

Former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was convicted at Newry Crown Court of 18 sexual offences, including rape, against two women when they were children. He remains in custody awaiting sentencing.

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long and other Alliance members have demanded a fully independent external investigation, arguing that transparency is needed about which DUP officials knew of Donaldson’s conduct. The DUP announced a specialised independent review of the issues arising from the conviction, with party leader Gavin Robinson saying he is “deeply concerned”.

Unionist MLA Doug Beattie has written to the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, asking for a probe into what the PSNI knew about Donaldson. Reports indicate senior police officers observed Donaldson entering a London sauna that catered to gay men in 2006 and that a senior safeguarding officer may have held intelligence before his arrest.

Media investigations, including BBC Spotlight, suggest senior DUP figures were aware of concerns raised by another woman and that internal safeguarding procedures may have failed. Former DUP adviser David Graham warned that the scandal has severely damaged the party’s credibility and may be beyond repair.