Jeffrey Donaldson steps down, with immediate effect as DUP leader after being charged with historical sexual offences

Jeffrey Donaldson steps down, with immediate effect as DUP leader after being charged with historical sexual offences.

A statement released by the DUP on Friday the 29th of March reads:

"The Party Chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect.

In accordance with the Party Rules, the Party Officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process."

The statement then goes on to name an interim replacement: 

"The Party Officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the Interim Party Leader."

As well as his DUP membership being taken, his membership from the Orange Order has also been suspended.

Interim leader of the DUP, Gavin Robinson had this to say on the matter:

"This has been a devastating revelation, and has caused tremendous shock, not just for myself personally or my colleagues in the DUP but for the community right across Northern Ireland."

"We have faith in our criminal justice system and in the coming days and months it is important that none of us say anything or act in any way that would seek to prejudice what is now an ongoing criminal investigation."