Former DUP leader Donaldson protected by ‘culture of cover-up’, MLAs hear
By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association
Disgraced former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson was protected in politics by a “culture of cover-up”, the Northern Ireland Assembly has heard.
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey also said further revelations about the conduct of Donaldson expose “staggering hypocrisy” around the party’s “moral facade”.
However, DUP deputy leader Michelle McIlveen told MLAs that her party had instigated an independent review into Donaldson’s behaviour and said it would “follow the facts wherever they lead”.
Last week Donaldson was convicted at Newry Crown Court of 18 counts of sex abuse, including one count of rape, against two women when they were children.
Subsequent claims have emerged that some party members were made aware of other behaviour in his private life while he was an MP.
That behaviour was not illegal but was at odds with positions he adopted publicly.
In one instance, a young woman told the BBC she was “exploited” by Donaldson, while two former senior PSNI officers reported observed Donaldson entering a gay sauna in London.
Former DUP MP Ian Paisley told the Spotlight programme that he had told then DUP leader Edwin Poots in 2021 about the claims made by the young woman.
Poots, who is now the Stormont Speaker, told the programme: “We observed at all times the wishes of the young woman.”
The latest revelations about Donaldson were debated by MLAs in the Assembly on Monday.
We need to know if failing to act sooner left more vulnerable people at risk
Poots was not in the Speaker’s chair for the debate.
Hargey said: “How was an abuser involved in the most sensitive political negotiations, and having access to political power and influence, able to rise to the highest ranks of political office as an MLA, an MP at Westminster and to become the leader of the largest unionist party, the DUP?”
The Sinn Féin MLA said that more “shocking information” had emerged since the court case “regarding a pattern of behaviour that was kept hidden from the public by his colleagues”.
She said: “They now say they knew about his behaviour but, crucially, did nothing to expose his inappropriate hypocrisy and double life.
“Senior members of the DUP, their most senior figures, including the then leader Edwin Poots were aware of serious issues and allegations about his behaviour.
“Behaviour which compromised him and raised serious questions about his character.”
Hargey said Donaldson had been protected by a “culture of cover-up”.
She said: “We need to hear about how this happened.”
Hargey also said revelations about Donaldson’s behaviour had showed “staggering hypocrisy around the DUP’s moral facade.”
She added: “We need to know if failing to act sooner left more vulnerable people at risk.”
The Sinn Féin MLA also said there were questions for the intelligence agencies.
She said: “It is not credible that the intelligence agencies were blind to his compromised double standards and double life.
“These questions demand answers from the DUP leadership.”
McIlveen told the Assembly that the DUP had “acted immediately” when Donaldson was charged.
She said that subsequent allegations of inappropriate behaviour are deeply concerning.”
Referring to the review instigated by her party, she added: “We intend to follow the facts wherever they lead.”
She added: “The DUP is clear, when legitimate questions are raised, they must be answered.
“Openness, not evasion, is the only way to rebuild public confidence.”
