A BBC Northern Ireland Spotlight documentary has alleged that former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson visited a gay sauna in London in 2006, the same year he publicly described homosexuality as sinful. Donaldson was convicted last week of 18 sexual offences, including one count of rape, against two women when they were children.
Witnesses Confirm Sauna Visit
According to the documentary, two former policemen observed Donaldson entering Chariots Sauna near the Houses of Parliament in 2006. Tim Hanley, former head of the PSNI's Serious Crime Branch, told the broadcaster he was "100 per cent sure" Donaldson entered the building. A second detective corroborated the claim.
Hanley commented: "Somebody's sexuality is their own business. But I think it's the whole, if you like, history of the DUP. They were opposed to gay marriage, they've always had that angle, that bigotry towards members of the gay community and that's where the shock came from, that there could be such a double standard. I found it incredible."
Conviction and Sentencing
Donaldson was convicted last week of 18 sexual offences, including one count of rape, committed between 1985 and 2008. The judge has warned he faces a "lengthy" custodial sentence, stating that a prison term is inevitable and will be substantial.
Calls for Investigation
The case has prompted calls for the Police Ombudsman to investigate what police knew about Donaldson's activities. The DUP announced on Friday that it is commissioning an independent inquiry into the revelations and who knew what.
BBC Spotlight reported that a police detective suspected Donaldson could be a secret child abuser a year before he was formally named to police. The detective and a child safeguarding expert suspected Donaldson following an exploratory meeting at the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s headquarters with Complainant A and her partner before they made a formal complaint. Complainant A did not name her abuser in that meeting, and did not name Donaldson to police until 2024. However, the programme heard that both believed the woman was describing Donaldson.
PSNI Response
A PSNI spokesperson said: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland have conducted a thorough investigation into non-recent sexual abuse allegations. As legal proceedings are ongoing, we will not be making any comment."
The BBC presented these allegations to Jeffrey Donaldson, but he failed to provide a response.
