DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said Jeffrey Donaldson is “guilty of abusing the trust” of those within the party with “lies and his cover-ups” in relation to his sexual crimes.
Mr Robinson said party members were “shocked” by the “filthy and vile” descriptions of Donaldson’s actions during the trial at Newry Crown Court, in which the former DUP leader was found guilty of 18 historical sexual offences against two women when they were children.
When the allegations came to light in 2024, Donaldson was suspended from the party, before Mr Robinson – then deputy leader – took over his role.
The shocking change in leadership came just weeks after Donaldson had led his party back into the devolved institutions at Stormont, having struck a deal with the UK Government to end his two-year boycott of powersharing in Northern Ireland in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements.
Donaldson had been the MP for Lagan Valley since 1997 and was one of the leading voices in political unionism for more than two decades.
Speaking to reporters at the Stormont hotel in Belfast, Mr Robinson welcomed that justice had been done, describing his predecessor’s crimes as “heinous and despicable”.
“Our thoughts are first and foremost with those innocent victims whose lives have been impacted and blighted by (Donaldson’s) predatory and repugnant behaviour,” he said.
“What they have been put through, from the initial abuse through to the impact of having to give evidence and the inevitable traumatisation, has been wicked.
“The impact on the victims of having to come forward and to be forced by their perpetrators’ denials to give evidence in all the circumstances was cruel in the extreme.
“Today we stand with the victims of his abuse and we salute their bravery and courage for speaking out.”
The MP for East Belfast said Donaldson must “face the full force of the law”.
“He also stands guilty of abusing and betraying the trust placed in him by many people over many years, including good, honest colleagues in both our party and the Ulster Unionist Party, as well as the wider community,” he said.
“It is now clear beyond doubt that he abused various positions of power over many years since 1985 and has covered up his vile and manipulative behaviour.
“We have been shocked by the evidence presented, what we have heard reported from the court has been filthy and vile.
“For our part, we firmly believe in placing our faith in the rule of law.
“For us, everyone is equal to the law and equally subject to it, no-one, regardless of their status or position, can ever be above the law and Jeffrey Donaldson is no exception.
“Abuse, preying on the innocent and taking advantage of the vulnerability of children in particular is evil.
“That Jeffrey Donaldson’s lies and his cover-ups have been uncovered, and the spotlight of justice shone upon them, should serve as a reminder that perpetrators cannot outrun justice.
“Victims can and must triumph over the evil darkness that pervaded their innocent lives.”
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