Jeffrey Donaldson

[Cafog]

Is there a thread yet that I haven't found? Shocked to hear this news this morning about the recently knighted MP and leader of the DUP being charged with historical sex offences along with his wife. And disgusted at all those in a froth on social media who haven't even spared a thought for his potential victims.

I was surprised to not find a thread too!

A knighthood can be forfeited, there's some specific rules around it, but he may well meet them.

Is it his wife? I didn’t see that part in the news.

I mean, it’s the DUP! It’s hardly that shocking 😂

I hope justice is done.

I haven't seen the detail, just that he'd stepped down. Horrendous if true.

Well, I suppose he would have to be convicted before this would even be considered. But I hope his alleged victims get the justice they deserve.

Quite shocked. It does happen in all parties of course. But innocent til proven guilty.

Apologies the name of his wife hasn't been released, I presumed it has but obviously I've read that somewhere unsubstantiated.

I know it happens in all parties, but the leader?

A 57 year old woman has been mentioned,

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68686691

BBC News understands Sir Jeffrey has been charged with rape and multiple other sexual offences.

Very true @OwlDoll . Speaking personally, the last NI politician I could name was Terence O'Neill.

So it seems like the DUP were able to replace him pretty quickly - possibly prepared in advance.

Gavin Robinson was deputy leader. Probably quite straight forward

Just read the BBC article, bloody horrendous. Those poor women.

Possibly. I would have imagined that there would be some kind of pause, even if there is a deputy, even to appear to be in some kind of shock or disarray as a party. Just has the appearance of smoothness that suggests preparation.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68686691

It says nothing in this report about child sex abuse.

BBC News understands Sir Jeffrey has been charged with rape and multiple other sexual offences. ... The police investigation is understood to have started within the last number of months, after two women came forward.

Look on Belfast Live

"It says nothing in this report about child sex abuse"

You're right of course, child sex abuse isn't mentioned in this report, but it's such a big story here in NI that there are many unverified details on X and other social medias and I was thinking of those when I wrote this.

Yes, I've looked at Belfast Live now. https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/co-down-couple-child-sex-2890926

God almighty.

It’s just unbelievable

Definitely sounds like the woman is the wife as they were in the same house when arrested.

Absolutely horrific. And him such an upstanding christian man.

The irony of this breaking on Good Friday (agreement). Horrific for the victims of this alleged abuse which appears to be child related. Whose children?

Best we don't speculate about that, given this is sub judice.