Sir Jeffrey Donaldson stands down after historical sex offence charges

The 61-year-old politician is due to appear in court in Newry, Co Down, on April 24 having been arrested and charged in relation to non-recent sexual allegations.

A 57-year-old woman has been charged with aiding and abetting additional offences in relation to the same police investigation.

The Lagan Valley MP has been suspended from the DUP pending the outcome of the judicial process and East Belfast MP and deputy leader Gavin Robinson has been appointed interim party leader.

The DUP said it had received a letter from Sir Jeffrey stating that he had been charged with allegations of a historical nature and that he would be stepping down as leader.

The BBC has reported that Sir Jeffrey will be strenuously contesting the charges.

In a statement, the DUP said: "In accordance with the party rules, the party officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.

"The party officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the interim party leader."

Overnight, Mr Donaldson's website and social media accounts, including on X, Facebook and Instagram, were deleted.

The shock announcement comes just weeks after Sir Jeffrey made the decision to bring the party back to powersharing in Northern Ireland.

Sir Jeffrey's leadership saw him steer the party's two-year boycott of Northern Ireland's political institutions in protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements.

After protracted negotiations, the DUP agreed to return to Stormont in February following the agreement of a new deal and a series of assurances around Northern Ireland's constitutional position within the United Kingdom.

Sir Jeffrey, who has had an almost 40-year career in politics, became DUP leader in July 2021.

His career started with the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and in 1985, aged 22, he was the youngest person to be elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The 61-year-old's relationship with former UUP leader David Trimble deteriorated when he led a walkout of the 1998 peace talks after opposing the early release of republican and loyalist prisoners.

He left the party and joined the DUP in January 2004.

He was recognised by the Queen in her 2016 Birthday Honours and was given a knighthood.

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill says it is now a matter for the criminal justice system, and says her priority is that the Executive “delivers”.

Ms O’Neill said: “My priority is to continue to provide the leadership the public expect and deserve, and to ensure the four-party Executive coalition delivers for the whole of our community now and in the future.

“The DUP Leader has resigned after being charged with serious offences. This is now a matter for the criminal justice system.”

The statement was released by Sinn Fein. There has been no comment from the joint office of the first and deputy first ministers.

​UUP leader Doug Beattie said the leadership of the DUP is a matter for the DUP.

He added: “Although the circumstances are of concern and in the public interest, we are mindful that this is now a criminal investigation and it would not be proper to comment further. In all matters of this nature, we must first and foremost consider the victims and what impact media and public attention will have on them”.

An Alliance Party spokesperson has said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with those who have been victim to any kind of abuse, and for whom these reports may be incredibly distressing.

“Given that there is now an active criminal investigation underway, we do not feel it would be appropriate to comment any further at this time.”

While there is no imminent by-election on the cards, there will be questions about whether Sir Jeffrey Donaldson can continue to serve as a member of parliament after being suspended from the party.