DUP leader orders ‘unprecedented’ review of Jeffrey Donaldson’s time in party

Jeffrey Donaldson was convicted at Newry Crown Court of 18 sex offences, including one count of rape, relating to the abuse of two women when they were children.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson has insisted he has ordered an “unprecedented review” in terms of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Donaldson’s time in his party.

Mr Robinson previously announced a “focused, independent review” to establish what was known within the party about Donaldson’s conduct.

The review will be led by Jim Gamble, a former senior police officer and current head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP) Centre.

The Northern Ireland Survivor Council had expressed “concern” because the CEOP is also undertaking a safeguarding review of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Donaldson’s victims had previously disclosed to church officials they had been abused.

They have queried whether one organisation can independently and robustly conduct both reviews.

Former DUP leader Donaldson was last month convicted at Newry Crown Court of 18 sex offences, including one count of rape, relating to the abuse of two women when they were children.

Mr Robinson said he was very pleased that Mr Gamble and his company has agreed to the review.

“I said that it would be robust and I said that we would select an individual who has impeccable and unquestionable credentials in the safeguarding sphere,” he told BBC Northern Ireland’s Good Morning Ulster programme.

“I have commissioned him (Mr Gamble), he is the man that is going to lead this unprecedented review.

“There is no political party in Northern Ireland’s history that has commissioned like this, and I also said that having commissioned Jim, I am not going to give a running commentary on it.” 

Pressed on further concerns that have been voiced, Mr Robinson went on: “I have no questions about the independence of Jim Gamble, I am not asking him and he has not been commissioned to look at any interplay with other investigations that he is engaged in or other review that he is engaged in.

“This is to satisfy not only myself but, in time, the general public about what occurred within our party, what was known, what could have been known and whether our safeguarding policies and procedures in place are correct or whether they need to change.

“I am taking this seriously and I have engaged the UK’s foremost expert. I have no questions about his independence or capacity to do this review and I am pleased he is doing so.”