Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has stepped down as chief of the Democratic Unionist Occasion with fast impact after he was charged with historic sexual offences.
In a press release, the DUP stated: “The get together chairman has obtained a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historic nature and indicating that he’s stepping down as chief of the Democratic Unionist Occasion with fast impact.
“In accordance with the get together guidelines, the get together officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the result of a judicial course of.
“The get together officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP because the interim get together chief.”
Sir Jeffrey has led the get together since 2021, however has been an MP since 1997.
Previous to becoming a member of the DUP, he was a part of the Ulster Unionist Occasion’s delegation to barter the Good Friday Peace settlement.
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It comes after the Police Service of Northern Eire stated a person had been charged with non-recent intercourse offences.
A PSNI spokesman stated: “Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Eire arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences.
“A 57-year-old girl was additionally arrested and charged on the time for aiding and abetting further offences.”
Each are resulting from seem earlier than Newry Magistrates’ Courtroom on 24 April.
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