DUP confirms independent review after Jeffrey Donaldson conviction as pressure grows for wider inquiry

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 awaiting sentencing.

Pressure grows over who knew what

The DUP said it acted swiftly when Donaldson was first charged and believes “criminal proceedings must take their full course”.

In a statement, the party said leader Gavin Robinson MP, deputy leader Michelle McIlveen MLA and the party chairman were “deeply concerned” by allegations that have surfaced in recent days relating to inappropriate behaviour by Donaldson.

The party said it was also concerned by indications that some people may have had knowledge of inappropriate behaviour which was never reported to party officers.

Independent review being commissioned

The DUP leadership said it has now begun the process of commissioning a “specialised and detailed independent review” into a number of issues arising following Donaldson’s conviction, with further details to be announced shortly.

The move comes amid growing political pressure for wider scrutiny of whether safeguarding, vetting, reporting or information-sharing failures allowed concerns to go unaddressed.

Calls for national inquiry

Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows MLA has written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling for a full independent inquiry into Donaldson.

Mr Burrows said Donaldson’s conviction had exposed “one of the most serious breaches of trust in public life in Northern Ireland”.

He said only an inquiry with the power to examine information held by police services, security and intelligence agencies, government departments and political parties could establish the facts.

Mr Burrows added:

“The Government should now act without further delay. A fully independent inquiry, with the necessary powers and access to all relevant information, is required to establish the truth, identify any institutional failings and ensure every lesson is learned.”

Alliance says public deserves transparency

Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson MLA has also said reports that senior DUP figures were made aware of an alleged sexual assault by Donaldson are “deeply concerning”.

The comments followed reporting of a further allegation involving Donaldson. PA has reported that the PSNI said police had received a report about an allegation of a non-recent offence and were assessing the information.

Mr Tennyson said:

“Taken alongside other recent reports, including separate claims about a ‘warning’ allegedly given to another young woman about Donaldson’s behaviour, each new revelation raises further questions about whether opportunities were missed to protect people and what action was taken.

“The public is entitled to expect openness and transparency about who knew what and when. These serious questions cannot simply be brushed aside.”

Focus now turns to scope of review

The key question now is whether the DUP’s own independent review will be seen as sufficient, or whether pressure will continue to build for a broader inquiry with statutory powers and access to information beyond any one political party.

For victims, political parties and the wider public, the issue has moved beyond Donaldson’s conviction alone and towards whether warning signs were missed, whether concerns were properly handled, and what must change to ensure accountability and safeguarding in public life.