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Sir Geoffrey Donaldson has resigned as leader of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) after being charged by police with past sex offences.
The 61-year-old politician was arrested and charged in connection with non-recent sexual charges and is due to appear in court in Newry, County Down, on April 24.
A 57-year-old woman was also charged with additional aiding and abetting criminal charges in connection with a similar police investigation.
The DUP has announced that it has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey informing him that he has been charged with allegations of a historical nature and that he will be stepping down from leadership “with immediate effect”.
In a letter to the DUP, Sir Jeffrey said he would vigorously contest the charges.
Sir Jeffrey has been suspended from the DUP pending the outcome of judicial proceedings. Gavin Robinson has been appointed interim leader.
In a statement, the DUP said: “The party chairman has received a letter from Sir Geoffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of a historic nature and stating that he will resign as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect. “I received it,” he said.
“In accordance with party regulations, party officials have suspended Mr. Donaldson’s membership in the party pending the outcome of the judicial process.
“Party executives this morning unanimously appointed Gavin Robinson MP as interim leader.”
Sir Jeffrey’s social media accounts were deleted overnight.
Earlier, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) announced that a 61-year-old man in Northern Ireland had recently been charged with a sex offense, although Sir Jeffrey’s name was not released.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Detectives from Northern Ireland Police have arrested and charged a 61-year-old man on suspicion of a non-recent sexual offence. A 57-year-old woman was also arrested at the time on suspicion of aiding and abetting a further offence. He was indicted.
“A 57-year-old woman was also charged with additional aiding and abetting criminal charges. Both men are scheduled to appear in court next month.
“Both men are due to appear at Newry Magistrates Court on April 24.”
As is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Prosecutor’s Office. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) will not publish the names of people charged with offences, unless there are exceptional circumstances where there is a legitimate police purpose.
A House of Commons spokesperson said: “We are aware of the police statement, but we do not comment on individual cases.”
The shock announcement comes just weeks after Sir Jeffrey’s decision to return the party to power-sharing in Northern Ireland.
Under Sir Geoffrey’s leadership, he steered the party through a two-year boycott of Northern Ireland’s political institutions in protest of post-Brexit trade deals.
After lengthy negotiations, the DUP agreed to return to Stormont in February after agreeing a new deal and receiving a series of guarantees regarding Northern Ireland’s constitutional status in the UK.
Sir Jeffrey, who has been in politics for almost 40 years, became DUP leader in July 2021.
His career began with the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and in 1985, at the age of 22, he became the youngest person to be elected to the Northern Ireland Parliament.
The 61-year-old’s relationship with former UUP leader David Trimble soured after he led a strike during the 1998 peace talks after he opposed the early release of republican and loyalist prisoners.
He left the party and joined the DUP in January 2004.
He was recognized by the Queen in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honors and knighted.
This is breaking news and is being updated.