Fergus Finlay: In politics and religion, Jeffrey Donaldson has been a proven hypocrite his entire life

Has there ever been a more reptilian, slimy or evil character than Jeffrey Donaldson? His betrayals span every aspect of his life

Jeffrey Donaldson has yet to admit a shred of guilt or show any remorse, but at least he is now in prison where he belongs. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA

Good Friday is always going to be a day that resonates in Northern Ireland. It was on that day in 1998 the Good Friday Agreement was signed. It was historic and joyful, even if it was accompanied by tension up to the last minute. I found it a bittersweet day, because I was one of a small team, under our leader Dick Spring, whose work had contributed to making that day possible.

I’d love to have been there, and for sure I’ve always believed Dick Spring and Albert Reynolds should have been there. Many of the colleagues we’d worked alongside, including brilliant Irish public servants, were in the room, although as public servants they were never going to be among the signatories. But the vagaries of politics and history made it impossible for others to be present.