Former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and MP for Lagan Valley
The Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Assembly has launched a review into Jeffrey Donaldson’s behaviour whilst at Parliament Buildings, at the request of Speaker Edwin Poots.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has confirmed that child safeguarding expert Jim Gamble will lead a review into Jeffrey Donaldson’s time within the party. Last month, Donaldson was convicted of 18 counts of sex abuse against two women when they were children, including rape.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has stepped down as leader of the DUP and has been suspended by the party after being charged with ‘historical sex offences’. Gavin Robinson MP is to serve as interim party leader.
The Windsor Framework allows the Assembly to vote on whether new EU regulations should apply in Northern Ireland, the DUP’s motion has failed to pass through the Assembly.
The DUP has tabled an applicability motion to be debated on a new EU regulation with Donaldson calling it a ‘watershed moment’, whilst the SDLP call it a ‘stunt’.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has suffered another set-back in his attempt to restore power sharing at Stormont – with more leaks coming out of his meeting tonight.
The deadline to reform the Executive has been moved to February 8th, which means there won’t be a Stormont election until at least then, if the Executive is still not up-and-running.
The Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has said that discussions to restore Stormont have now ended, and it is time for the DUP to make a decision.
The leaders of the five main parties in Northern Ireland have written to Chris Heaton-Harris demanding cash to help those affected by the recent flooding.
