Highlights: Northern Ireland: DUP party leader resigns after indictment for ‘sexual offences’ Jeffrey Donaldson is being prosecuted for “ non-recent sexual offences ”, in the words of the Northern Irish police. The former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party is accused of rape and sexual assault. Local elected officials now fear a new period of instability in Northern Ireland. The DUP helped bring down the Northern Ireland government two years ago, then reinstate it in early February. The party leadership “ received a letter from MP Jeffrey. Donaldson confirming that he has been indicted on old charges and indicating that he is resigning as leader. with immediate effect”

Northern Ireland found a government only two months ago, after two years without an executive, but one of the two coalition parties has already lost its president. The Democratic Unionist Party,…

Northern Ireland: DUP party leader resigns after indictment for “sexual offences”

Northern Ireland found a government only two months ago, after two years without an executive, but one of the two coalition parties has already lost its president. The Democratic Unionist Party, the DUP, has just dismissed Jeffrey Donaldson from office.

Jeffrey Donaldson, the former leader of the Northern Ireland Democratic Unionist Party, on January 30, 2024 when he was still leader of the party. © Peter Morrison/AP

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in London,

Emeline Vin

Jeffrey Donaldson is being prosecuted for “

non-recent sexual offences

”, in the words of the Northern Irish police. According to the

BBC

, the former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party is accused of rape and sexual assault. We do not know the age, number of victims, or date of the alleged events.

Early Thursday morning, Northern Irish police arrested a couple. But Jeffrey Donaldson's identity was confirmed Friday morning after his social media accounts were deleted and his party removed him from office in an emergency meeting. The party leadership “

received a letter from MP Jeffrey Donaldson confirming that he has been indicted on old charges and indicating that he is resigning as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect

,” the DUP announced in a statement .

Jeffrey Donaldson, knighted in 2016, has been elected to the British Parliament for almost 30 years and helped bring down the Northern Irish government two years ago, then reinstate it

in early February

. Local elected officials now fear a new period of instability.

Jeffrey Donaldson, who remains in office as a Westminster MP, is due to appear in a Northern Irish court on April 24 and has already said he will “

strongly

” contest the allegations.

Also read Operation “Kenova”: did the British army cover up murders in Northern Ireland?

Northern Ireland: DUP party leader resigns after indictment for “sexual offences”

Northern Ireland: DUP party leader resigns after indictment for “sexual offences”

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