Poots says he has 'nothing to answer for' over Donaldson concerns
Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots has said he has “nothing to answer for” over how he handled a concerns from a woman about behaviour by Jeffrey Donaldson.
Mr Poots also said he had asked the chief executive of the Northern Ireland Assembly Lesley Hogg to carry out an investigation into Donaldson’s behaviour when he was an MLA, and has urged the Westminster Speaker to do the same.
Alliance leader Naomi Long was among political leaders who called on Mr Poots to make clear what he did with information related to a woman who came forward five years ago to claim Donaldson had exploited her.
The woman was not one of the complainants involved in the criminal prosecution of Jeffrey Donaldson for child sexual abuse.
Former North Antrim MP Ian Paisley, speaking to BBC Spotlight, said the woman who raised concerns with him about Donaldson’s alleged exploitative behaviour did not want to make a formal complaint.
He added that he raised the matter with Mr Poots, who was then DUP leader.
Mr Poots told Spotlight that in dealing with the issue, he at all times observed the wishes of the young woman.
On Monday, Mr Poots recused himself from presiding over an Assembly debate on issues related to Donaldson’s conduct, though later made a statement to MLAs referring to the issue raised by Spotlight.
He told MLAs: “When Jeffrey Donaldson and I were campaigning to be elected leader of the DUP in 2021, a party colleague brought to my attention that a young adult woman had brought to him the fact that Mr Donaldson had showed her unwanted attention.
“There was nothing of a criminal or safeguarding nature raised.
“My colleague offered her support to take the matter forward as a complaint to several bodies which she declined.
“I have further asked the chief executive to conduct an investigation on behalf of this Assembly to ensure any member of staff or any other member that had any issues to raise will have the opportunity to do so.
Asked if the investigation would also look at his own actions, Mr Poots said: “I don’t have anything to answer for because I did not engage in any misbehaviour of any kind.
“This is an investigation which would allow potential victims of abuse by Jeffrey Donaldson to come forward.”
He added: “Let’s be very clear about this, this is about the paedophile Jeffrey Donaldson, nothing else.”
Ms Long questioned whether Mr Poots should consider stepping aside while the issues are investigated.
“I think there is precedent in the past for people stepping aside for a short period of time whilst investigations into their conduct have taken place,” she said.
First Minister and Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill urged Mr Poots to make clear what steps he took when he became aware of the woman’s concerns.
“We want the DUP to be forthcoming with all this information,” she said.
“I think it’s really important that the Speaker steps forward and tells people very clearly what he knew. Did he fulfil his responsibilities in terms of safeguarding? I think at this moment in time there are still questions to be answered there. We will continue to ask those questions.”