NEWS

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) is to establish an independent confidential process for anyone with information or concerns relating to Jeffrey Donaldson’s time in the party to come forward, saying its initial internal review was only “a first step, not the end of the matter”. The move follows Donaldson’s conviction on 18 child sex abuse offences, including rape, and represents the party’s most significant organisational response since the verdicts. Independent route outside

Former Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson A safeguarding and accountability row surrounding Jeffrey Donaldson has deepened after the DUP confirmed it is commissioning a specialised independent review into issues arising from the former party leader’s conviction. Donaldson, a former DUP leader and one of Northern Ireland’s most prominent political figures, has been convicted of 18 historical sexual offences against two women when they were children. He is await

North Antrim MP Jim Allister, and inset, former Lagan Valley MP, Jeffrey Donaldson Questions have been raised over payments totalling almost £12,000 made by the Ministry of Defence to former Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson while he was serving as a sitting Member of Parliament. The issue has been brought into the spotlight by North Antrim MP and TUV leader Jim Allister, who said the payments were made for consultancy work connected to peace efforts in Cameroon at a time whe

Supporters outside Stormont calling for long-term investment in agri-environment schemes to support farmers and restore wildlife, joined by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir New polling commissioned by RSPB NI has revealed strong public support for increased investment in nature-friendly farming, as the organisation called on politicians to provide greater backing for farmers working to protect wildlife and tackle climate change. The survey found that 68 per cent of people support i

Stormont Parliament Buildings, Belfast. (Photo: Nigel McDowell/Ulster University) A major new study has found that people across Northern Ireland want any future debate on Irish unity to be driven by evidence, planning and practical answers rather than political rhetoric, with the experience of Brexit continuing to shape public attitudes towards constitutional change. Research published on Wednesday, July 1, by Ulster University suggests the conversation around Northern Irela

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long Calls for a fully independent investigation into what senior figures knew about concerns surrounding former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson have intensified following revelations aired in the BBC Spotlight documentary Politician, Predator, Paedophile. On Sunday, 28 June, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said transparency was now essential regarding the actions and knowledge of senior members of the Democratic Unionist Party in relation to allegat

Political fallout intensified across unionism on Friday night after a special edition of BBC Spotlight examining the double life of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson prompted renewed scrutiny over what was known, when it was known, and who, if anyone, failed to act. The programme, presented by investigative journalist Mandy McAuley and titled Politician, Predator and Paedophile, examined how one of the most powerful figures in modern Northern Ireland politics was able to ri

Ten years after the Brexit referendum reshaped British politics, Northern Ireland remains deeply divided over whether the historic vote has ever truly been delivered. Marking the 10th anniversary of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union, the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) and Alliance Party have set out starkly different visions for Northern Ireland’s future, highlighting how Brexit continues to define political debate across the region. While the TUV argues Brexit rema

UUP Party Leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows, and (inset) convicted former MP and DUP Party Leader Jeffrey Donaldson. Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows has called for sweeping changes to parliamentary pension rules, arguing it is “absolutely reprehensible” that former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson remains entitled to a taxpayer-funded parliamentary pension following his conviction for sexual offences against children. The intervention comes in the aftermath of Dona

Guilty: Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson The conviction of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson on multiple sexual offence charges has prompted immediate calls for his knighthood to be revoked, with political leaders across unionism describing the verdict as a profound betrayal of public trust and praising the courage of the women who came forward to give evidence. Donaldson was found guilty on all charges by a jury, bringing one of the most significant political an

North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston, Allister Kyle, Chairman of the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) with Party Leader Jim Allister MP A senior TUV figure and Causeway Coast and Glens councillor has been unveiled as the party’s candidate for East Londonderry ahead of next year’s Northern Ireland Assembly election, with a pledge to build on what he described as the party’s strongest-ever electoral performance in the constituency. Allister Kyle, who currently serves as Chairman

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA and Matthew Robinson The Ulster Unionist Party has announced that former Northern Ireland Conservative Party chairman Matthew Robinson has joined its ranks, in a move the party says adds significant legal, policy and political experience to its growing team. Robinson, a qualified lawyer holding both an LLB and an LLM, is also a Director at the Euro-Gulf Information Centre (EGIC). His arrival comes as the Ulster Unionists continue e

Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows The Ulster Unionist Party has moved to steady internal nerves and project unity after a bruising week of political turmoil, with party leader Jon Burrows insisting the party “will not allow” recent criticism and media characterisations to define its future. In a direct message to members and supporters, the MLA acknowledged frustration within the party following the departure of former leader Doug Beattie MC MLA, describing recent days

Northern Ireland has entered its most peaceful era in modern history — but too many people still feel left behind economically, according to Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows MLA, who is set to deliver a major speech calling for a new political and economic direction. In a keynote address in Dublin on Thursday, Mr Burrows will argue that while the Good Friday Agreement transformed Northern Ireland by ending decades of violence, peace alone is no longer enough if famili

TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston A heated row over comments made during a Stormont committee session on race relations has escalated after TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston used Assembly proceedings to demand that a publicly funded community representative be compelled to return before the committee “and learn some manners”. Speaking in the Assembly on Monday, June 1, Mr Gaston sharply criticised evidence given during a recent meeting of the Committee for the Executive O

Mayor, Councillor Dawn Huggins (left) and Deputy Mayor, Alderman Sandra Hunter. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has made history after appointing two women simultaneously to its top civic positions for the first time since the authority was formed. DUP Councillor Dawn Huggins has officially been installed as the new Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, while UUP Alderman Sandra Hunter has taken on the role of Deputy Mayor for the year ahead. The appoin

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has appointed a new mayor and deputy mayor for the year ahead, with Bannside DUP Alderman Thomas Gordon taking on the borough’s top civic role and Carrick Castle Ulster Unionist Councillor Bethany Carson-Ferris named as deputy mayor. The appointments were confirmed during the council’s Annual Meeting at The Braid in Ballymena on Monday evening, June 1, marking the beginning of a new civic

New Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Sinn Féin Councillor Henry Cushinan A political milestone has been marked in Antrim and Newtownabbey after Councillor Henry Cushinan was officially appointed as the borough’s first Sinn Féin Mayor. The historic appointment was confirmed during the council’s Annual Meeting on Monday evening, June 1, marking the first time Sinn Féin has held the mayoral chain in the borough since local government reorganisation created Antrim and Newtownabb

Doug Beattie MLA, Upper Bann Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie has resigned from the Ulster Unionist Party with immediate effect after launching a scathing attack on party leader Jon Burrows and accusing the party leadership of fostering a “toxic atmosphere”. In a dramatic statement published on social media on Saturday evening, the Upper Bann MLA said “integrity is more important than just belonging” as he confirmed he was walking away from the party he once led. The resignat

SDLP leader Claire Hanna MP SDLP leader Claire Hanna MP is set to visit Cushendall next week for a public discussion event focused on the future of Northern Ireland, rural communities and the party’s vision for a “New Ireland”. The event, titled “In Conversation with Claire Hanna”, will take place at Tír na nÓg in Cushendall on Thursday 4 June at 7pm and is expected to centre on growing public frustration around political deadlock, pressures on public services and the challen