Belfast safeguarding group iNEQE, led by Jim Gamble, has been commissioned by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to conduct a review into Jeffrey Donaldson’s time within the party.
The former Lagan Valley MP was convicted of 18 counts of sex abuse last month, which included one count of rape, against two women when they were children.
A BBC Spotlight programme that aired following his conviction and a report from the Belfast Telegraph have raised more concerns about the former DUP leader’s behaviour whilst in London, including an allegation that he sexually assaulted a young woman in his House of Commons office.
On Thursday afternoon the DUP confirmed that a ‘specialist multi-disciplinary team’ from iNEQE will conduct the review, and it will be chaired by former police officer and child safeguarding expert Jim Gamble.
A party spokesperson said: “The DUP has commissioned this focused independent review to establish what, if any, information was known within the Party about his conduct, to examine its safeguarding and reporting arrangements, and to make recommendations to ensure good practice for all its members and staff.”
“The review will be carried out by a specialist multi-disciplinary team from the iNEQE Safeguarding Group, drawing on their safeguarding, child protection and policing expertise. The review will be led by Mr Jim Gamble. The review will be conducted entirely independent of the DUP.”
The terms of reference for the review are as follows:
- Conduct an independent review to establish what (if any) information was known within the DUP concerning allegations of inappropriate conduct relating to safeguarding by Jeffrey Donaldson. This will include who knew, when and from whom they learned it, the form in which it arose (eyewitness, formal complaint, disclosure, concern, rumour or warning), and what action was or was not taken.
- Provide an independent and confidential facility for party members to come forward with related information, concerns or experiences relating to Jeffrey Donaldson during his time in the DUP.
- Examine and review the DUP’s safeguarding processes (including reporting mechanisms) and make recommendations to ensure good practice is followed by all members and staff.
The statement continues: “The DUP acted immediately when Jeffrey Donaldson was first charged. We believe in the rule of law and that justice must be obtained through our courts. We stand with the victims of his abuse and we salute their bravery and courage for speaking out. Regardless of the crime, we will always be on the side of the victim and as a society, we must do everything possible to encourage those who have been abused to come forward to the police and seek justice through our court system.
“As a consequence of his actions, Jeffrey Donaldson must now feel the full force of the law. He stands guilty of abusing and betraying the trust placed in him by many people over the years, including good honest colleagues in both our party and the Ulster Unionist Party as well as the wider community.
“While the DUP never received any report or complaint regarding improper behaviour or criminal behaviour, it is now clear, beyond doubt, that Jeffrey Donaldson abused various positions of power over many years from 1985 onwards and covered up his vile and manipulative behaviour.
“The work of the review has now commenced and the Party does not intend to give a running commentary on it whilst it is ongoing respecting the fundamental independent nature of it.”
Jim Gamble was previously head of the Belfast region in the RUC Special Branch. He led the National Criminal Intelligence Service fight against child sex abuse and was in charge of ‘Operation Ore’ for the National Crime Agency.
