Jeffrey Donaldson

Jeffrey Donaldson outside Newry Crown Court in June, where he was found guilty of multiple historical sexual offences. He is currently serving a 15-year sentence. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

New Donaldson probe: DUP say party 'never received any report or complaint'

Jeffrey Donaldson arriving at Newry Crown Court during his trial in June.

Breaking Jeffrey Donaldson accused of 2016 rape inside Westminster

Jeffrey Donaldson was sentenced to 15 years by Judge Paul Ramsey on October 15

Jeffrey Donaldson set for transfer to Magilligan

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson leaving Newry Magistrates' Court, after he was released on bail for child sex abuse charges in April 2024

Mary Lou McDonald hopes Donaldson sentencing helps closure for victims

The former DUP leader, Jeffrey Donaldson, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for a series of child sex offences, including rape

Donaldson case: 50% remission 'baffling' to public says ex-jail boss

Morning View

Editorial: Donaldson’s arrest proves the system worked

Catherine Kierans from the Public Prosecution Service speaks to the media outside Newry Crown Court today. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA

Donaldson behind bars shows 'no one above the law'

Jeffrey Donaldson sentencing: The story of Eleanor Donaldson's 'trial of facts'

Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced at Newry Crown Court

Live Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced for sex offences at Newry Court

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson will be sentenced later for a string of historical sex offences against two women when they were children

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson to be sentenced for sex offences

The Co Down home of disgraced Jeffrey Donaldson is on sale for £650,000. Photo: Robert Wilson Estate Agents

Home of disgraced Jeffrey Donaldson for sale at £650k

Jon Burrows addressing the Ulster Unionist Party conference in Belfast on Saturday.

Jon Burrows says unionism is at a crossroads - and the UUP is ready to lead

Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson appearing at Newry Crown Court for a sentencing hearing

Jeffrey Donaldson sex crime convictions ‘obliterate’ achievements, court told

DUP leader Gavin Robinson arrives for his speech to the party conference

Owen Polley: DUP has big challenges to face

Eleanor Donaldson, is to appeal against a jury verdict that she aided and abetted her husband’s offending.

Eleanor Donaldson to appeal against trial of the facts verdict

UUP appoints independent expert to review Donaldson time in party
The Ulster Unionist Party has announced it has appointed an independent expert to review former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson’s time in the party.
Rebecca Black

Donaldson, 63, was convicted at Newry Crown Court earlier this year of 18 sex offences, including one count of rape, relating to the abuse of two women when they were children.

Judge receives victim impact reports ahead of sentencing of Jeffrey Donaldson

Donaldson was convicted at Newry Crown Court earlier this year of 18 sex offences, including one count of rape, relating to the abuse of two women when they were children.

‘No relevant information identified’ in Stormont Donaldson review

Jeffrey Donaldson arriving at Newry Crown Court last month during his trial. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

UUP launching ‘independent confidential’ review into Jeffrey Donaldson

Jeffrey Donaldson arriving at Newry Crown Court during his trial. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Jeffrey Donaldson to appeal convictions for child sex offences

As Jeffrey Donaldson rose through the political and Loyal Order ranks, his Fish buttonhole badge became a trademark symbol of his Christian faith. Even during the weeks of his trial, as he arrived at court each morning, his lapel would sport the Fish badge

John Coulter: Challenge of undoing damage done by Donaldson's conviction

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly MLA

Deputy First Minister saw nothing to feel Jeffrey Donaldson was dangerous

DUP leader Gavin Robinson announced an independent review in the wake of Jeffrey Donaldson's conviction. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Jim Gamble to lead DUP safeguarding review after Jeffrey Donaldson scandal

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly says she did not believe Donaldson was a danger before his offences came to light. Pic : Niall Carson/PA Wire

'No reason to believe' Donaldson was a danger prior to arrest - DUP minister

Members of the media outside Newry Crown Court, where former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was found guilty of 18 historical sex offences. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Jonny McCambridge: The reality of reporting the Donaldson trial

Unionism is trapped in a cycle at every election due to fear-mongering

Letter: Unionist voters should rethink DUP support

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was convicted at Newry Crown Court (Liam McBurney/PA)

Parties raise further questions over latest Donaldson allegations
Sinn Fein and the Alliance Party have said there are further questions for the DUP to answer about the behaviour of former leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.
Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association

Former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was convicted at Newry Crown Court of 18 historical sexual offences against two women when they were children

Letter: Trial shows public life is not what it seems

Jeffrey Donaldson arriving at Newry Crown Court during his court case last month. He is awaiting sentence

Ministers asked for more details on MoD payments to Donaldson for ‘peace work’

DUP leader Gavin Robinson MP said the DUP is commissioning an independent review of issues raised around the DUP's knowledge of disgraced Jeffrey Donaldson's wider conduct. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

DUP review into Donaldson behaviour will be 'unprecedented' – Gavin Robinson

DUP MP Sammy Wilson says he rode this motorbike to Parliament, while Jeffrey Donaldson took the tube.

Sammy Wilson had no concerns over former flatmate Donaldson

Polling seems to suggest that most people think Stormont is doing a bad job, Unionists should say they are not taking part

Letter: Unionism should quit Stormont, return to pre Donaldson u-turn stance

Speaker Edwin Poots has said he has nothing to answer for over his handling of claims made about Jeffrey Donaldson.

Pressure mounts on Edwin Poots over Donaldson 'inappropriate behaviour' claims

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn was not in office until after Jeffrey Donaldson was charged. Pic: Yui Mok/PA Wire

Northern Ireland Office says there's 'no evidence' it was told about Donaldson

Sinn Féin has called on Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots, pictured, to stand aside pending a DUP investigation into claims of inappropriate behaviour by Jeffrey Donaldson

I would never have protected Jeffrey Donaldson in any circumstance – Edwin Poots

Stormont's Speaker Edwin Poots.

Poots says he has 'nothing to answer for' over Donaldson concerns

UUP leader Jon Burrows.

Jon Burrows calls on Prime Minister to launch 'proper inquiry' into Donaldson

Jim Allister has questioned how Jeffrey Donaldson became the DUP's 'pin-up boy' despite claims about his conduct.

How did such a man become the leader and 'pin-up boy' of the DUP? - Allister

(Left to right) Trevor Clarke MLA, Education Minister Paul Givan MLA, Junior Minister Joanne Bunting MLA, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, DUP party leader Gavin Robinson MP, deputy party leader Michelle McIlveen MLA, and Communities Minister Gordon Lyons speaking to members of the media, in the Great Hall in Stormont, Belfast. today

DUP members did not share information about Donaldson conduct – Robinson

It was 27 Celsius at 5pm at the US consul's residence in Shaw's Bridge on Thursday when the outgoing consul James Applegate spoke to mark the US 250th anniversary. Later the temperature in Belfast actually rose a bit in the evening to 28C. Pictured on the right is the band of Campbell College, which had played the national anthem. Pic Ben Lowry

Ben Lowry: The warm night-time temperatures in NI this week were almost a record

Jeffrey Donaldson lied to his own voters about the Irish Sea border, and the bulk of his party went along with it. Pic: Colm Lenaghan /Pacemaker

Analysis: Donaldson needed no pressure to tell his biggest political lie of all

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson arriving at Newry Crown Court on Monday June 22, 2026. Later that day, he was was convicted of 18 sex offences, including one count of rape – against two women when they were children

‘No inkling’ of Donaldson’s abusive behaviour prior to arrest, says DUP minister

Jamie Bryson attended a meeting with EU diplomats in Dublin to set out the DUP and unionist position, with the endorsement of former leader Jeffrey Donaldson. Pic : Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Irish government confirms it attended Jamie Bryson meeting in Dublin

Jeffrey Donaldson addressing DUP conference in October 2022, where he said EU law was the underlying problem with the Irish Sea border.

Bryson 'pulled Jeffrey Donaldson into hardline position' in conference speech

Back in the 1990s, David Trimble was mentoring his new MP, Jeffrey Donaldson, following his election to Parliament

Ruth Dudley Edwards: Some are astounded at Jeffrey’s unmasking, but I'm not

Jeffrey Donaldson leaving Newry Crown Court during his sex abuse trial. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

TUV says Donaldson should surrender pension after giving up knighthood

Jeffrey Donaldson sent Jamie Bryson to represent DUP views to EU officials at a secret Dublin meeting. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Jeffrey Donaldson sent Jamie Bryson to represent DUP views to EU officials

TUV leader Jim Allister. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

'Distasteful nonsense' - Government hits out at TUV Donaldson comments

A prison van carrying former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson leaves Newry Crown Court, where he was found guilty of 18 historical sex offences against two women when they were children, including one count of rape, 13 of indecent assault and four of gross indecency. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Jeffrey Donaldson booted out of Orange Order after child sex crime convictions

Stormont's Speaker Edwin Poots.

Edwin Poots says he found Jeffrey Donaldson out on lies 'many times'

Jeffrey Donaldson leaving Newry Crown Court, sporting a Christian lapel badge, during a trial where he claimed his victims were lying. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Jeffrey Donaldson's 'audacity' in wearing symbol of Christianity to court

Stormont speaker Edwin Poots, pictured, has said former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson “destroyed the innocence of children”.

Donaldson destroyed innocence of children, Poots says

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson arriving at Newry Crown Court on Monday June 22, 2026. Later that day, he was was convicted of 18 sex offences, including one count of rape – against two women when they were children

Stormont MLAs blast ‘evil sexual predator’ Jeffrey Donaldson

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson arriving at Newry Crown Court on Monday June 22, 2026. On Monday, a jury of seven men and five women at Newry Crown Court unanimously found 63-year-old Donaldson guilty of 18 sex offences, including one count of rape, against two women when they were children. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Jeffrey Donaldson sex crimes were ‘evil and horrific’, Irish premier says

The DUP said its thoughts were with the innocent victims whose lives have been impacted and blighted by former leader Jeffrey Donaldson's "predatory and repugnant behaviour". Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Victims' courage praised after conviction of 'reprehensible' Jeffrey Donaldson

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