Ulster Unionist Party to Create Independent Process on Donaldson Period

The Ulster Unionist Party said it will appoint an independent external organization to receive confidential information about Jeffrey Donaldson during his time as a member from 1985 to 2003. Donaldson was convicted last month of 18 counts of sex abuse, including one count of rape, committed against two women when they were children.

He left the party in 2003 and later joined another political group.

The party stated that a rapid internal review found no complaints about Donaldson had been recorded during his membership. It said the absence of records does not rule out the need for further examination. UUP leader Jon Burrows said the party wants a mechanism for anyone with information or concerns to come forward.

He added that the party will also review its safeguarding arrangements. A party statement said its thoughts remain with the victims and that only a fully independent inquiry with statutory powers could establish what was known across Donaldson's entire public career.

The Democratic Unionist Party separately announced it has commissioned its own independent review of Donaldson's time in that party. Donaldson began his political career with the Ulster Unionist Party in 1985, representing the South Down constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

He later held the Lagan Valley seat before leaving in 2003.