Jeffrey Donaldson resigns as DUP leader and suspended by Orange Order after historical sex offence charges

The 61-year-old is due to appear in court in Newry next month in relation to non-recent allegations.

Mr Donaldson had said he will be strenuously contesting the charges.

A 57-year-old woman has also been charged with aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences.

They were both arrested early on Thursday by PSNI detectives and questioned before being charged on Thursday night.

Sources said Mr Jeffrey left Northern Ireland this morning for London, where he has an apartment.

He has been suspended by the Orange Order.

A spokesman for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said: “Jeffrey Donaldson’s membership has been suspended, in accordance with the rules of the Loyal Orange Institution, pending the outcome of the legal process. No further comment will be made."

Meanwhile, the Irish Government and senior politicians are remaining quiet over the thunderclap delivered to Northern Ireland politics by the laying of criminal charges against Mr Donaldson.

The Department of Foreign Affairs released an official comment shortly after 3pm on Friday, saying: “We note the appointment of an interim leader of the DUP.

“We will continue to work with all parties to ensure the full and effective functioning of the Good Friday Agreement institutions.”

Politicians were earlier refusing comment, even off the record, but many had been involved in a tidal wave of WhatsApp and text messages across the establishment system as news began to emerge.

Senior personalities here said the nature of the supposed allegations meant the matter was too sensitive to discuss.

But senior civil servants and party advisers were discussing the claimants and the very fact of charges, while the deletion of Mr Donaldson’s social media accounts ironically sent social media into overdrive.

Iveagh House sources said they already have details on Gavin Robinson MP, the new interim leader of the DUP.

“He is the large to Jeffrey’s little,” said one, “but perhaps it is the inverse in terms of political heft and brainpower.”

The DUP confirmed Mr Donaldson’s resignation shortly before 1pm.

Gavin Robinson has been appointed interim party leader.

His departure will have implications for the political institutions in Northern Ireland. Mr Donaldson agreed a deal to restore power-sharing just weeks ago.

Sinn Féin leader Michelle O’Neill said her priority is ensuring the Executive “delivers for the whole of our community now and in the future”.

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.

"The party officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the interim party leader."

According to the BBC, the letter from Mr Donaldson states he will be strenuously contesting the charges.

There had been mounting speculation about Mr Donaldson’s future on Friday morning with reports of an unscheduled DUP party officers’ meeting.

Sources believe only a tiny number of officials knew what was going on.

His social media accounts had also disappeared overnight.

It is further understood that Mr Donaldson also withdrew from a number of scheduled appearances at late notice yesterday.

Pictures of Mr Donaldson and other statements from him have been removed from the DUP website.

Earlier, a PSNI spokesperson said: “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 April 24.

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

The shock announcement comes just weeks after Mr Donaldson made the decision to bring the party back to power-sharing at Stormont.

Mr Donaldson, who has been DUP leader since 2021, has been MP for Lagan Valley since 1997.

It is likely he will stand aside as MP, potentially triggering a by-election.

A spokesperson for the House of Commons said: “We are aware of the announcement by the police, but will not be commenting on individual cases.”

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “My priority is to continue to provide the leadership the public expect and deserve, and to ensure the four-party Executive coalition delivers for the whole of our community now and in the future.

“The DUP leader has resigned after being charged with serious offences.

“This is now a matter for the criminal justice system.”

UUP leader Doug Beattie said: “The leadership of the DUP is a matter for the DUP.

"Although the circumstances are of concern and in the public interest, we are mindful that this is now a criminal investigation and it would not be proper to comment further.

"In all matters of this nature, we must first and foremost consider the victims and what impact media and public attention will have on them.”

Mr Donaldson's leadership saw him steer the party's two-year boycott of the political institutions in protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements.

After protracted negotiations, the DUP agreed to return to Stormont in February following the agreement of a new deal and a series assurances around Northern Ireland's constitutional position within the United Kingdom.

Mr Donaldson, who has had an almost 40-year career in politics, became DUP leader in July 2021.

His career started with the Ulster Unionist Party and in 1985, aged 22, he was the youngest person to be elected to the Assembly.

Mr Donaldson’s relationship with former UUP leader David Trimble deteriorated when he led a walkout of the 1998 peace talks after opposing the early release of republican and loyalist prisoners. He left the party and joined the DUP in January 2004.

Mr Donaldson was recognised by the Queen in her 2016 Birthday Honours and was given a knighthood.

The interim leader, Mr Robinson, served as the Lord Mayor of Belfast from June 2012 until June 2013.

He was elected as MP for East Belfast in 2015 and has since been re-elected in 2017 and 2019. He was elected as the deputy leader of the DUP last June.

More to follow...