Ulster Unionist Party launches independent confidential process over Jeffrey Donaldson’s time in party

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 the party

Party leader Jon Burrows MLA commissioned a rapid review following Donaldson’s conviction to establish whether any complaint or concern had been raised during Donaldson’s membership of the UUP between 1985 and 2003.

According to the party, that review found no formal or informal complaint had ever been raised and that the PSNI had never contacted the UUP in connection with the offences.

However, the party said that did not end its responsibility to examine the issue further.

It said:

“As a Party, however, we recognise that the absence of a record does not mean there is nothing further to be established, particularly over a period of almost two decades. The rapid review was a first step, not the end of the matter.”

As a result, the UUP said it will appoint an independent external organisation to provide a confidential reporting route that operates entirely outside the party.

It said:

“The Ulster Unionist Party will appoint an independent external organisation to provide a confidential route, entirely outside the Party, for anyone with information or concerns relating to Donaldson’s time in the Party to come forward.”

Details of the independent external organisation, including its terms of reference and how people can come forward, will be published once the appointment has been confirmed.

Safeguarding review and appeal for information

The independent organisation will also be asked to review the UUP’s current safeguarding arrangements and recommend any improvements it considers necessary.

The party said it has also written to the Chief Constable offering support for a proactive PSNI public appeal to encourage any other potential victims to come forward.

Renewed call for a public inquiry

Alongside the independent reporting process, the UUP has renewed its call for a fully independent inquiry into whether any organisation or public body knew of concerns about Donaldson during his political career.

The party said such an inquiry should have the powers to examine what, if anything, was known by political parties, police services, security agencies and government, noting Donaldson served as an MP and MLA, was knighted, appointed to the Privy Council and later served as a UK Trade Envoy.

It said it would cooperate fully with any inquiry, including making its own records available.

The UUP has also reiterated its support for changes to the Northern Ireland Assembly pension scheme that would allow taxpayer-funded pensions to be forfeited following convictions for the most serious criminal offences.

Commitment to accountability

Concluding its statement, the party said it believes public confidence depends on openness as it continues to examine whether lessons can be learned from Donaldson’s time in the organisation.

It said:

“Public trust is built through openness and accountability. Where there are lessons to be learned, including for our own Party, we are committed to learning them.”

The appointment of the independent organisation is expected to be confirmed in due course. Once that process is complete, the UUP says it will publish details of the organisation, its terms of reference and how people with relevant information can make confidential contact.