The Commissioner for Victims of Crime in Northern Ireland has urged the Secretary of State, Sir Chris Bryant, to commission a single, coordinated independent review into the conduct of Jeffrey Donaldson, a former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader recently convicted of multiple sexual offences.

Donaldson was found guilty earlier this year at Newry Crown Court of 18 sex offences, including one count of rape, involving the abuse of two women during their childhood. The offences occurred between 1985 and 2008. Following his conviction, Donaldson was stripped of his knighthood and removed from the Privy Council. He is currently held at Maghaberry Prison pending sentencing.

In response to the conviction, both the DUP and the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), where Donaldson was previously a member, have initiated internal reviews examining his tenure within their parties. Additionally, the Northern Ireland Assembly has established a separate review process to investigate behavior and possible incidents within parliamentary buildings during Donaldson’s time as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). The Northern Ireland Civil Service has also begun a "scoping exercise" in relation to the matter.

Geraldine Hanna, the Designate Commissioner for Victims of Crime in Northern Ireland, expressed concerns that the existing multiple inquiries may overlook broader systemic issues. She stressed that having several concurrent investigations risks placing an unfair burden on victims, who might be required to provide their accounts repeatedly.

Hanna called on Sir Chris Bryant to authorize a singular, comprehensive independent review that would consolidate the various strands of investigation. She argued that such an approach would better address the full scope of the issues and reduce the impact on those affected.

The calls for a unified inquiry come amid growing scrutiny over how political parties and governmental institutions handle allegations and misconduct by elected officials. The situation highlights ongoing challenges in balancing transparency, accountability, and victim support in cases involving public figures.