The Northern Ireland Assembly united in condemnation on Tuesday morning as MLAs denounced former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson as an “evil sexual predator” following his conviction for 18 sex offences, including one count of rape. The victims were commended for their “extraordinary bravery and dignity” in the chamber where Donaldson once served.
Conviction and Cross-Party Condemnation
A day after Donaldson was found guilty at Newry Crown Court of abusing two women when they were children, Stormont MLAs expressed widespread support for the victims and called for him to be stripped of his knighthood. Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin raised the conviction as a Matter Of The Day, with Speaker Edwin Poots allowing contributions from across the chamber.
Sheerin commended the victims “who have suffered more than any of us can comprehend” for their strength and dignity. “Their resilience throughout this process has been nothing short of admirable, and I hope beyond hope that it gives other survivors the courage to come forward,” she told MLAs. “How someone capable of such depravity could rise through the ranks of political office and retain the trust and confidence of so many for so long is hard to comprehend. No-one is above the law, and I hope all victims watching this unfold will take strength from that.”
DUP Response: A Double Duplicitous Life
DUP deputy leader Michelle McIlveen said it is now clear that her former party leader “led a double duplicitous life”. “Our thoughts are first and foremost with those innocent victims whose lives were profoundly impacted by his vile and filthy behaviour. What they endured was wicked,” she said. “Today we stand with those victims. We salute their courage, their resilience, and their determination to speak the truth. No-one is above the law. It does not matter how prominent the person may be, what position they hold or how much influence they possess. Everyone is equal before the law and equally subject to it. It is now clear beyond doubt that Jeffrey Donaldson led a double and duplicitous life. His lies and cover ups have now been exposed.”
McIlveen added that the DUP is writing to the Forfeiture Committee at the Cabinet Office to request that Donaldson be stripped of his knighthood and Privy Council titles. DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley described his former party leader as an “evil sexual predator”, a “fraudulent monster”, “wicked deceiver” and a “convicted child abuser and rapist”, adding: “there is nothing more despicable”.
Cross-Community Support for Victims
Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl recognised the “extraordinary, remarkable bravery and courage of the two victims”. “The verdict yesterday won’t undo the harm that was done to them but hopefully it sends a clear recognition that what happened was wrong, and that Jeffrey Donaldson will feel the full weight of the law,” she said. “It’s a clear message that no one, regardless of what position you hold in society, is above the law.”
Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows said Donaldson’s victims “showed remarkable courage in giving the evidence they did and in taking this case to court”. “They knew the level of scrutiny and public attention that this case would invoke and yet they gave evidence, they got justice and there is a powerful lesson in that for everyone in our country, right across these islands,” he said. “I do hope that if any good comes from this, it is that more victims will come forward against anyone who is a predator or sexual abuser.” He added that Donaldson “stands in disgrace” and has also written to request he is stripped of his knighthood. He noted Donaldson had the “audacity to wear a Christian symbol on his lapel as he walked into court”.
Calls for Justice and Accountability
SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole said Donaldson was convicted of “the most grave and depraved crimes that it is possible to imagine”. “He stands not just shamed but convicted in the eyes of the law by a jury of his peers,” he said. “On behalf of my party, I want to stand with and acknowledge the extraordinary courage and resilience of his victims. It’s important to acknowledge the work of the police officers and prosecutors who took this case forward and who got justice and accountability for his victims. I echo others who have highlighted the important work of organisations such as Nexus who offer support and signposting for people who have suffered abuse.” He also expressed support for stripping Donaldson of his knighthood, saying “he stands in abject disgrace, he should feel the full force of the law”.
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said justice had been delivered “after years of the most wicked and depraved abuse”. He hailed the courage and fortitude of Donaldson’s victims as “something we all need to acknowledge”. “The light arising in the darkness is that the justice system delivered for victims,” he said. “Donaldson, who was one of the most powerful people in, not just Northern Ireland, but he rose to the top of UK politics, an MP, a Knight, a Privy Counsellor. He was held accountable for the evil crimes he committed against children, and I trust they will find some form of closure on the back of yesterday’s verdict.”
