Jon Burrows calls on Prime Minister to launch 'proper inquiry' into who knew what about Jeffrey Donaldson's behaviour

​Jon Burrows also said he would conduct his “own rapid review” in the UUP “if we need to look at things” – but said Sir Keir Starmer “needs to grip this”.

He said that the issue “cuts across all parties” and that a “proper inquiry” is needed now.

The comments came during an assembly discussion on the matter yesterday, in the wake of Donaldson’s conviction for 18 historic sex offences against two young girls.

Claims have since emerged, including from current and former members of the DUP, about the former leader’s alleged personal conduct during his time as an MP – claims the UUP boss said left Donaldson open to blackmail.

Mr Burrows told MLAs: “There are two aspects to this. There is the criminality of Jeffrey Donaldson. I take it in good faith, unless it is proved otherwise, that nobody knew that he was abusing those young girls.

“However, his behaviour was in plain sight, it seems. He was leading a double life. He was hypocritical. He was telling people to do as he said, not do as he did. That cannot be acceptable.

“It cannot be acceptable that that was not brought to the attention of the electorate. It cannot be acceptable that he was a blackmail risk in the United Kingdom. If he was acting in the way that was portrayed in the 'Spotlight' programme, he was extremely vulnerable to anyone trying to extort him or make him vulnerable to any form of blackmail. That needs to be addressed.”

The North Antrim MLA (pictured) added: “I have written to the prime minister today. We need a proper inquiry. This goes to the heart of what aspects of the church knew, what politicians knew and what political parties knew; indeed, there is an allegation about what different police services knew or what the security services knew.”

He said that the facts need to be established, and whoever is doing any review must have “access to all of the information and material”.