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.

Have they been seen in the same room together ?

Bailed and allowed to communicate but to live separately. They looked so smug coming out of court.

They wont look so smug when tje verdict is announced and everyone knows who he is accused of raping.

I know very little about Jeffrey D and wouldn't share his political views - I was raised an RC in Ireland but isn't he innocent until proven guilty.
Dreadful crimes to be accused of 😮

If he is found guilty, the victims' names will not be revealed unless they decide to go public themselves. The reason names of those accused of rape are not revealed is not to protect the accused but to protect the victim.

Most people do know. It's been widely talked about in the local community with enough "evidence" doing the rounds to prove the veracity of those claims. The media simply aren't allowed to report on it to protect the victims.

I haven't seen any? I am normally very firmly camp "innocent until proven guilty"; however this is a big fish to fry if the PSNI don't have a cast-iron case surely?

@Treesinmygarden there have been screenshots doing the rounds in certain Facebook groups and other forums online, which, if genuine are pretty damning. I've seen them in a multitude of places within hours of the news breaking.

In cases like this, I'm not at all innocent until proven guilty. History teaches they're probably guilty.

@Treesinmygarden writes "....this is a big fish to fry if the PSNI don't have a cast iron case surely ?"

I agree.

I haven't seen anything but that's horrifying.

I know people who have been innocent in various situations, which is why I am loathe to cast aspersions. There's a different vibe to this though.

I'm also amazed at how little attention this has garnered! You could guarantee if this was an English, Welsh or Scottish MP, the press would be all over it!

I think because there was so much "headline news" yesterday in the UK - 24/4/24- the stabbings in a Welsh school, the Army horses running through London that it wasn't headline news.

It was on the news a lot yesterday. But once charged, the media has to be very careful of the coverage, they are not allowed to jeopardise the integrity of a court case. More will come out at trial and after.

Yeah I think most people here know who he's accused of committing these crimes against and it is as bad as it gets really.

That tallies with what I have heard. Horrendous.

7 more charges coming out for this excuse of a man bringing the total to 18..

May he burn...

It would turn your stomach. All of those years of seeing his smug, smarm, self-righteous bake...!!!

But will we hear any precise charges tomorrow, and if so will it effect the voting on Friday?

Deanelderberry interesting point..

I've been wondering ever since the date of the election was announced. So many of the candidates will have on-file photos with JD - will it discourage any voters?

Interesting, that hadn't occurred to me...

Jeepers he looks like a different person in the space of 2 months. He's put weight on and has a big beard 😳