Tomás Ó Flatharta

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, leader of the far-right, homophobic, and misogynistic, Democratic Unionist party (DUP), deletes all his social media accounts

Donaldson’s party runs the recently revived Stormont assembly government in coalition with Sinn Féin and the Alliance Party.

The reliable Slugger O’Toole site reports :

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson deletes all his social media accounts – Slugger O’Toole Report

Thanks also to the Cedar Lounge Revolution

Jeffrey Donaldson deletes social media accounts – Cedar Lounge Revolution

Context?

Did Windsor Framework Sunak throw Brexit Donaldson to the Wolves?

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Media Update :

“Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has stood down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) after he was charged with offences of a historical nature, the party has announced.

The announcement was made following an emergency meeting called at short notice on Friday.

A statement from the party said: “The Party Chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of a 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 Party Officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the Interim Party Leader.”

Source :

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/03/29/jeffrey-donaldson-quits-dup-leader-northern-ireland/

From the BBC :

“Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been charged with historical sexual offences and has quit as Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader.

A 57-year-old woman has also been charged with aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences.

They were both arrested on Thursday morning by PSNI detectives and were questioned before being charged on Thursday night.

They are now due to appear in court next month.

In a statement the DUP said: “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 Party Officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the Interim Party Leader.”

Police issued a statement on Friday morning, but did not disclose the identity of those charged. 

The statement said a 61-year-old man had been charged with “non-recent sexual offences” adding that a 57-year-old woman was also arrested at the same time and charged with “aiding and abetting additional offences”.

The statement also confirmed the pair would appear before Newry Magistrates’ Court on 24 April.”

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Slugger O’Toole writer Brian O’Neill offers excellent advice :

“What is already being dubbed ‘The Good Friday Arraignment’ is another body blow to the beleaguered DUP. The party is no stranger to scandal and this one has the potential to tear the party apart.

Expect also to see a renewed spotlight on the behaviour of other Unionist politicians in the past. Jeffrey Donaldson acted as Enoch Powell’s election agent. Powell has been described as ‘a racist and a violent paedophile with deranged views about the intelligence of women.’ There have also been rumours about James Molyneaux for years,Molyneaux was seen as a mentor to Donaldson.

While I understand the huge interest in such a story, can we remember that he is innocent until proven guilty. There are also legal issues around commenting on live cases. Lastly, we need to remember the potential victims who deserve their privacy.

Please keep comments to the political ramifications and stay away from specifics on the allegations.”

Source : Sir Jeffrey Donaldson charged over historical sex offences – resigns from leadership of the DUP – SOT

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Rumours have circulated in Belfast and London for a long time. A lot of people, especially in the 26 county bit of Ireland, did not want to know. Look back now at the embarrassing fanfare which greeted the recent return of Lord Carson’s tomb, Stormont. Another collapse of this reactionary institution is possible.

The Slugger O’Toole journalist Brian O’Neill makes good points about two late Unionist Westminster MP’s who worked closely with Sir Jeffrey Donaldson : Enoch Powell and James Molyneaux. Probably also relevant is the outstanding work of investigative journalists such as Chris Moore and Ed Moloney – all readers of this site should try to see a recent brilliant documentary, Lost Boys – Belfast’s Missing Children. Trailer : Lost Boys of Belfast Documentary

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Hypocrites of the Decade Award :

Black humour from the 6 County bit of Ireland : the Orange Order, a profoundly sectarian, racist, homophobic and misogynistic organisation decides that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is no longer a member :

Sources said Sir Jeffrey left Northern Ireland this morning for London, where he has an apartment.

He has been suspended by the Orange Order.

A spokesman for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said: “Jeffrey Donaldson’s membership has been suspended, in accordance with the rules of the Loyal Orange Institution, pending the outcome of the legal process. No further comment will be made.”

The DUP confirmed Sir Jeffrey’s resignation shortly before 1pm.

The Belfast Telegraph

John Meehan March 29 2024