Jeffrey Donaldson – latest: DUP leader resigns after being charged with historic sex offences

The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party has resigned after it was revealed he had been charged with historical offences.

The DUP confirmed on Friday that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, who has led the party since 2021, is stepping down and is the suspect at the centre of a scandal.

In a statement released on Friday, the DUP said: “The Party Chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect.

“In accordance with the Party Rules, the Party Officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.”

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has resigned as the leader of the DUP after he was charged with historical sex offences.

A police spokesman told The Independent: “Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences.

“A 57-year-old woman was also arrested and charged at the time for aiding and abetting additional offences.

“Both are due to appear before Newry Magistrates Court on 24 April.

“As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.”

A 57-year-old woman was arrested and charged alongside Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, for allegedly aiding and abetting additional offences.

A police spokesman told The Independent: “Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences.

“A 57-year-old woman was also arrested and charged at the time for aiding and abetting additional offences.”

Lagan Valley MP Sir Jeffrey has been suspended from the DUP pending the outcome of the judicial process.

Overnight, his website and social media accounts, including on X, Facebook and Instagram, were deleted.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson made the decision to bring the DUP back to powersharing in Northern Ireland just weeks ago.

As leader, he steered 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 last month, following the agreement of a new deal and a series of assurances around Northern Ireland’s constitutional position within the United Kingdom.

Last summer, Sir Jeffrey accused some colleagues of briefing against the DUP:

The shock resignation of the DUP leader is bound to prompt questions over the future of the deal that restored powersharing in Northern Ireland.

The agreement hinged on his backing, and much will depend on who ultimately replaces him.

East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson, who has become interim leader, is a long-time ally of Sir Jeffrey and a firm backer of the return to Stormont. Mr Robinson would be an early favourite to become the permanent successor and his elevation would be unlikely to prompt a change in the party’s recent enthusiastic backing for the devolved institutions.

However, his election as leader is not a foregone conclusion and it remains to be seen whether other candidates, potentially more sceptical of the return to powersharing, will emerge.

Conservative former MEP David Bannerman said he was sorry to see Sir Jeffrey quitting.

After Sir Jeffrey steered a DUP boycott of power-sharing in Northern Ireland over Brexit arrangements, the party finally agreed to return to Stormont in February. It followed the agreement of a new deal on trade arrangements and a series of measures aimed at providing assurances around Northern Ireland’s constitutional position within the United Kingdom.

However, the DUPs dealings with government were not universally welcome and Sir Jeffrey told the Commons in January that he had been subjected to threats during the negotiations.

Later, a PSNI spokesperson said no offences were detected following an investigation - while Sir Jeffrey said a decision was made not to press charges.

He said: “We must stand against those who would seek to bully with violent threats. I wasn’t intimidated out of politics 30 years ago and I won’t be intimidated in 2024.”