PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has warned against “wild speculation” in relation to Jeffrey Donaldson amid ongoing legal proceedings.
The former DUP leader is in custody awaiting sentencing after being convicted last week of serious sexual offences against children.
Appearing before a meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Mr Boutcher warned against “irresponsible” commentary and said social media posts in relation to the trial were being investigated.
“It’s important that public commentary and journalism concerning allegations of rape and serious sexual offending recognise the integrity of the criminal justice process, particularly when proceedings have not concluded, and the possibility of appeal remains,” he told the Policing Board.
“I, of course, understand the public interest, but the commentary has been utterly irresponsible.”
Donaldson, the 63-year-old former DUP leader, was found guilty of 18 sexual offences, including one count of rape, against two women when they were children.
Subsequent media reports have raised questions about how much was known about Donaldson’s wider conduct in the period prior to his 2024 arrest over sex abuse allegations.
Mr Boutcher said on Thursday that the first allegations against Donaldson were made to the PSNI in March 2024, and three weeks later he was arrested.
Mr Boutcher also paid tribute to the “courage and selflessness” of the victims in the Donaldson case and said they were “remarkable and special people and an example to us all”.
“The victims are finding the current media frenzy and wild speculation incredibly difficult to handle.
“I am aware that journalists have tried to reach out to the victims. That must stop. They do not wish to speak to the media, and everyone must respect the authority of the ongoing court process.”
He said lifelong anonymity is given to complainants in sexual offence cases and “great attention must be taken” to make sure this was not undermined, or victims were not discouraged from coming forward.
“I remind everyone that publicly identifying a victim of a sexual offence is, of itself, a criminal offence.
“We are actively investigating social media posts in connection with this trial.”
Asked for clarification from Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey, Mr Boutcher said it would be “inappropriate” to answer questions about close protection.
He said claims of blackmail by the government and surveillance of Donaldson are “unfounded” and “did not happen”.
“To those who make such claims on the back of the courage of two incredibly brave victims, I ask that you act responsibly and stop such wild speculation.”
He later said: “There was no surveillance on him and there was no blackmail against him by the government. That’s as far as I’m going to go today.
“I’m not going to add to this wild speculation and ridiculous commentary on this.”
Speaking at Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn paid tribute to the two victims in the Donaldson case.
He said: “I think it’s hard for any of us to understand how much courage that took on the part of those individuals, and I would echo what the Chief Constable said at the Policing Board today.
“The fact that some members of the press are trying to get in contact with them is deeply shocking.
“They don’t want that, and we should respect their privacy.
“The second thing to say, there is absolutely no evidence that anyone in the NIO was aware of any of these allegations relating to Mr Donaldson’s behaviour.
“The PSNI have said that they’ve carried out an investigation. At the moment, they’re not commenting further, as I understand it, because they’re waiting for the judicial process to conclude.
Mr Benn added: “This is a truly shocking case, but above all, our thoughts must be with the women who were involved.”
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she believed the full facts of the Donaldson case were “still emerging”.
She said: “Can I firstly say that our first thoughts have to still remain with the victims of these crimes.
“The level of trauma involved in all of this is just horrendous, and it’s really, really, really difficult for people to step forward and to tell these stories.
“So, can I commend their courage, and from us to wish them well as all of this plays out.
“They have at least now the comfort of knowing that they were heard, they were believed, and that justice has been done and has been seen to be done.
“My sense of this is that this is a story that’s still really emerging.
“I’m not convinced that all of the facts, all of the information has as of yet had a public airing.”
She added: “In the political field, I think the DUP have to give a very clear account of themselves.”
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