Overview
- Jeffrey Donaldson was convicted last month of 18 child sex offences, including rape, and is in custody awaiting sentencing.
- On Thursday the DUP published terms of reference and formally commissioned the iNEQE Safeguarding Group, led by Jim Gamble, to carry out an independent focused review of Donaldson’s time in the party.
- The review will seek to establish what information existed inside the DUP about Donaldson, who knew it, when and in what form, and will provide a confidential facility for members to come forward.
- The DUP says the review is entirely independent, that work has begun and the party will not give a running commentary, while also saying it acted when Donaldson was first charged and condemning his abuse of power.
- Separately, the Northern Ireland Assembly has opened a review of any incidents at Parliament Buildings and the reporting could lead to referrals to police or wider political scrutiny of the party’s safeguarding culture.