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.

Yup! Especially such a high ranking MP, leader of a major party.

Dh told me who he is accused of raping. Jesus christ!!!
But ive found no info online rather than vague information. So maybe its not being discussed due to a news blackout?

If its proved to be true i hope they throw the book at him the evil bastard, and the 57 yr old woman too....

Rape victims have anonymity in the UK. This will be why it's not being discussed.

I agree.

I wonder if any of them are pertaining to Noah Donohoe.

Would they though? Isn’t there an English MP accused of sexual offences who is still a serving MP attending the HOC? That said, it would be different from a media standpoint if it were a party leader from GB, I agree with you there.

Edited: I misread what you said. Yes, more posters would be posting if it were a party leader from GB, but I suspect the thread title isn’t ringing bells for people who don’t know who Jeffrey Donaldson is (ie nearly everyone outside NI).

I remember back at the time of the Iris Robinson affair my Belfast pal V and I both had strong suspicions she was being used to deflect attention from something else. The usual 'throw a woman to the wolves to save the important man' technique. V is no longer this side of the great divide, and I miss her all the time, but gosh I'd enjoy one of our cross-border phone marathons right now.

I've been trying to read between the lines on the Slugger O'Toole discussion and failing dismally.

"remember back at the time of the Iris Robinson affair my Belfast pal V and I both had strong suspicions she was being used to deflect attention from something else. The usual 'throw a woman to the wolves to save the important man' technique. "
They cartainly made a big deal out of it with interviews and whatnot instead of saying sorry (for getting caught) to the public about the money, the affair is nobody's else's business, the end.

I remember her comments about gay people. She said that homosexuality was 'an abomination', a sin against God and that it made her sick. So when it came out that she was having an affair, there was absolute outrage at her hypocrisy. Isn't sex outside marriage also a sin? The there was the fact that, as a politician, she broke the law when she helped to obtain financial help for her lover to set up his business. Horrible woman. I could say plenty more, but that's not what this thread is about.

"I've been trying to read between the lines on the Slugger O'Toole discussion and failing dismally."

Dundonald Liberation Army has an amusing meme on FB. The Ulster Fry maintaining a dignified (and careful) silence for now. We'll see how it all pans out. I really hope justice comes for all.

Iris wasn't breaking any law. The lad was over the age of consent. I think the opprobrium was because they had more or less adopted him after the death of his parents. So the affair seemed a bit ick. That and her rants about, gays and God etc.

I still think of Noah Donohoe regularly @Octocat - poor boy & his poor family.

Iris wasn't breaking any law. The lad was over the age of consent.

Um, maybe read what I wrote. She broke the law when she procured financial investment for him. That would have been the same if he was 19 or 90.

In fact, I didn't even mention his age!

People found Iris Robinson's moral duplicity abhorrent. But it was widely talked about that there was more to it and there were other relevant issues, including what type of vests her husband, the then First Minister, might wear, which it was decided could not and should not be made public.

I never though I R was likeable or blameless, just suspected that she was under laser scrutiny to deflect attention from other things and other people.

Is it (shocking I mean). I always thought that the DUP held themselves up as the moral majority.

Don't ask me why but they always came across as being very po-faced.

For legal reasons the information was very limited focusing on the numbers and between certain dates.
Your suggestion maybe crossing other people's minds too as anything is possible. I think we'd be very shocked to know the truth on all 7.

At least HE has been named, and the victims are of course entitled to anonymity if that's what they want.

In Ireland (ROI) the alleged perpetrator is not named UNLESS the victim waives anonymity and that is usually after a guilty verdict, well I think that's the way it is anyway.

I think he named himself @Quizine , given everyone already knew and to allow the party to appoint a replacement. Presumably that's allowed in any jurisdiction? And then that's why the language in the articles changed in most publications changed once he was officially named to remove a couple of key words.

I know. I was just making a more general point. It was more the hypocrisy than the illegality.

I'm not sure about the alleged perpetrator naming his/her self. I think I remember reading reports of SA where the courts would not name the alleged perpetrator to preserve the anonymity of the alleged victim. Called "for legal reasons". That is in ROI reports BTW.

Seems reasonable, as in many cases if the perpetrator is named, assumptions are immediately made about who the victim could be and speculation ensues.

PSNI have issued a reminder to media outlets re coverage of this case.https://www.facebook.com/share/p/We2FphX6GWRq3kSA/

Interesting message from the new interim leader, Gavin Robinson.

Message from PSNI