The historic leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of Northern Ireland, Jeffrey Donaldson, announced his resignation from the party’s leadership this Friday after confirming that he has been formally accused of historical crimes. This euphemism was used to hide a highly sensitive and serious matter. The media had reported the arrest of a 61-year-old man for sexual crimes committed in the past and of a 57-year-old woman for complicity in these crimes, according to a statement from the Police of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
The DUP confirmed in a statement that they were breaking ties with Donaldson and suspended him as a member pending the outcome of the judicial process. MP Gavin Robinson has been elected interim leader of the party.
The first court hearing of the case has been set for April 24 in the courts of Newry, Northern Ireland. The two individuals mentioned by the PSNI remained under arrest for several hours and were being questioned by the officers handling the case.
Donaldson led the revolt of Northern Irish unionists against the Irish Protocol, which kept Northern Ireland within the EU customs space. He negotiated an agreement with the British Government to end
