Jim Gamble to lead DUP safeguarding review - as party insists it never received any reports of 'improper behaviour' about Jeffrey Donaldson
The DUP has announced that Jim Gamble will lead an independent review into Jeffrey Donaldson’s time in the party – and what people in it knew about the disgraced former leader.
The party has commissioned the iNEQE Safeguarding Group to conduct what it called an “Independent Focused Safeguarding Review”.
In a statement the DUP said it had commissioned the review “to establish what, if any, information was known within the Party about his conduct, to examine its safeguarding and reporting arrangements, and to make recommendations to ensure good practice for all its members and staff”.
However, it has reiterated its position that it “never received any report or complaint regarding improper behaviour or criminal behaviour”.
It follows the political fallout from Jeffrey Donaldson’s conviction over a series of child sex offences last month. Since then, there have been a series of claims about non-criminal behaviour by Donaldson – and claims that senior figures were aware of various allegations.
The DUP says the review will be carried out by a specialist multi-disciplinary team “drawing on their safeguarding, child protection and policing expertise”.
The party confirmed the review will be led by Mr Jim Gamble, and says it “will be conducted entirely independent of the DUP”.
The terms of reference have also been published. They are:
1. Conduct an independent review to establish what (if any) information was known within the DUP concerning allegations of inappropriate conduct relating to safeguarding by Jeffrey Donaldson. This will include who knew, when and from whom they learned it, the form in which it arose (eyewitness, formal complaint, disclosure, concern, rumour or warning), and what action was or was not taken.
2. Provide an independent and confidential facility for party members to come forward with related information, concerns or experiences relating to Jeffrey Donaldson during his time in the DUP.
3. Examine and review the DUP's safeguarding processes (including reporting mechanisms) and make recommendations to ensure good practice is followed by all members and staff.
Further details on the terms of reference are to be published by iNEQE at a later date.