'Distasteful nonsense' - UK Government hits out at TUV leader's comments after Jeffrey Donaldson conviction
A suggestion by the TUV leader that Jeffrey Donaldson’s decision to lead the DUP back into Stormont – based on a lie over the Irish Sea border – may have been the result of pressure exerted on him by the government has been branded “absolute nonsense”.
Jim Allister made the comments in the wake of the former DUP leader’s conviction on 18 historic sex offences, after two women – who were children at the time of the abuse – came forward and gave evidence against him.
The North Antrim MP said it is “inconceivable that the government was unaware of his proclivities” and that it is “far from fanciful” that it could have been used as leverage over the 2024 deal which restored the Stormont Executive.
In response, a spokesperson for the UK Government branded the comments “deeply distasteful”.
“Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victims of Jeffrey Donaldson who have shown immense courage in coming forward and giving evidence. Mr Allister’s allegations are deeply distasteful and absolute nonsense”, an official said.
In a statement issued soon after Donaldson was convicted, Mr Allister said it was “truly shocking”.
“Primarily my thoughts are with his victims, but for whose immense courage and honesty, Donaldson would have continued to play out the role of ‘statesman’.
“Now, he stands exposed as a paedophile. Donaldson must be stripped of his knighthood forthwith. However, for unionism, a very chilling and troubling issue arises, namely, how far did his ‘troubles’ give rise to his sell out on the Protocol?”, he said.
The TUV boss said Donaldson had gone from “robust opposition” to the Protocol to “lying salesmanship of the phoney ‘Safeguarding the Union’ document. Who could forget his brazen lies that the Irish Sea border was gone?”
“How did this come about? The fact Donaldson insisted in key meetings with His Majesty’s Government on being unaccompanied by colleagues raises red flags in itself. Was he on a mission of attempted self-preservation in the hope, no matter how deluded, he could stave off the fate that has now befallen him?”, the North Antrim MP said.