The new leader of the DUP has described charges of historical sex offences against Sir Jeffrey Donaldson as a “devastating revelation” for the party.
The 61-year-old politician will appear in court in Newry next month, having been arrested and charged in relation to non-recent sexual allegations.
The Lagan Valley MP has been suspended from the DUP pending the outcome of the judicial process, and East Belfast MP and deputy leader Gavin Robinson has been appointed interim party leader. In a statement, the DUP said: “In accordance with the party rules, the party officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.
Before that he was a member of Belfast City Council from 2010 to 2015 and served as Lord Mayor of Belfast from June 2012 until June 2013.
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