The DUP admitted some members knew of allegations against former leader Jeffrey Donaldson but didn't report them through official channels, deepening a crisis after his sexual abuse conviction. New claims of misconduct, including sexual harassment and hypocrisy, have emerged, prompting an independent review.
A detective and a child safeguarding expert reportedly suspected Jeffrey Donaldson of abuse a year before he was named to police by a victim. The suspicions arose after a meeting where the victim described her abuser, leading the detective and expert to believe Donaldson was the high-profile individual involved. Donaldson was later convicted of 18 sex abuse charges.
An investigation revealed former MP Jeffrey Donaldson's hypocritical double life, including a visit to a gay sauna while condemning homosexuality. This follows his conviction for 18 counts of sex abuse, with former DUP MP Ian Paisley also recounting a young woman's exploitation claim against Donaldson.
An investigation revealed former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson's hypocritical double life, including visiting a gay sauna while condemning homosexuality, and his recent conviction for 18 counts of sex abuse against two women. Former MP Ian Paisley recounted a young woman's exploitation claim against Donaldson.
Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson was convicted of 18 counts of sexual abuse, including rape, against two girls between 1985-2008. He will forfeit his knighthood and Privy Council seat. His wife was found guilty of aiding abuse. Sentencing is set for September 25.
Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has begun his prison sentence at Maghaberry Prison for child sex crimes, including rape. He faces a lengthy sentence and will be under observation, with limited contact with the outside world. His downfall has significantly impacted Northern Ireland's political landscape and the DUP.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has condemned former leader Jeffrey Donaldson, convicted of child sexual offenses, as a "wicked deceiver" who led a "double and duplicitous life." Leaders at Stormont distanced the party from Donaldson, calling him a manipulator who hid his crimes. The conviction follows a trial where he was found guilty of 18 offenses against two victims.
Jeffrey Donaldson, former DUP leader, begins prison term in Maghaberry for child sex crimes including rape, facing a lengthy sentence and strict prison conditions.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, former DUP leader, was convicted of sex abuse charges against two women when they were children. His trial lasted four weeks, during which he presented a defiant defense, often referencing his Christian faith. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, was found unfit to stand trial.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), has been found guilty of 18 counts of sex abuse against two women when they were children, including one count of rape. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, was also found to have committed acts aiding and abetting his offenses. Donaldson was remanded in custody pending sentencing.
Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of Northern Ireland's DUP, was found guilty on 18 counts of sexual crimes against two young victims spanning 23 years. His wife, Eleanor, aided some crimes but will not face penalties due to mental health issues. Donaldson faces sentencing on September 25th.
Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of 18 sex abuse charges, including one count of rape, against two women when they were children. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, was found to have done the acts in five charges, including aiding and abetting. Donaldson, a 29-year Westminster veteran, was alone in court as the verdicts were delivered.
Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson convicted of 18 sexual offences against two child victims over 30 years ago. He was remanded into custody, with a lengthy prison sentence expected. His wife was found to have aided and abetted.
In the trial of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the jury was urged to consider the "pain and hurt" of the two women accusing him of child sexual abuse. Prosecution highlighted the "long and arduous process" for the complainants, who made allegations in March 2024 after years of suppressing their experiences. Sir Jeffrey denies multiple charges.
Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, has pleaded not guilty to 18 sexual abuse charges, including rape, spanning 1985-2008. Testifying at Newry crown court, the former DUP leader stated allegations from two women, referred to as witnesses A and B, are "simply not true" and "unbelievable". His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, faces a trial of the facts on aiding and abetting charges.
Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson denied all sex abuse charges against him during his trial. He stated "No" when asked if he accepted the claims made by two women, and explicitly denied a rape allegation, stating "It just didn't happen."
Pastor Stephen Matthews testifies in Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's sex abuse trial, recounting a 1990s conversation with Complainant B, who alleged sexual abuse by someone rising through the Official Unionist Party, implying it was 'obvious' the abuser was Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.
The husband of an alleged victim in the sex abuse trial of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson testified at Newry Crown Court, describing the moment his wife revealed she had been abused by Donaldson on multiple occasions. He became emotional as he recounted her fear and the long-term trauma she experienced.
A jury in Northern Ireland heard details of an alleged child rape by former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson. The complainant, now an adult, described two incidents from 1985-2008. Donaldson denies all charges, while his wife, Eleanor, faces a trial of the facts.
An alleged victim in the Sir Jeffrey Donaldson trial claims he apologised for rape at a Christian centre years after the alleged abuse. Complainant B stated Donaldson apologised during a meeting arranged at the Christian Family Centre in Armoy when she was a teenager. The trial continues at Newry Crown Court.
A video of a police interview with Complainant B, one of two alleged victims, was played at Newry Crown Court in the trial of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson. The woman, who accuses Donaldson of rape and indecent assault between 1985 and 1991, described alleged incidents of sexual abuse.
A woman, Complainant A, testified in court that Lady Eleanor Donaldson was aware of alleged sexual abuse by her husband, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, but "did nothing about it." Sir Jeffrey denies 18 sex abuse charges, while Lady Donaldson denies aiding and abetting.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, and his wife Eleanor, 60, face trial in Newry crown court for alleged sex offences spanning 21 years, including rape and gross indecency, with the trial expected to last at least four weeks.
The trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson on sex abuse charges is scheduled to begin next week. A pre-trial hearing was held Tuesday, with jury selection planned for May 26. Both deny all charges.
