DUP leader says some members knew of Donaldson’s behaviour

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, June 30, 2026

DUP leader Gavin Robinson admitted that some party members had information about Jeffrey Donaldson’s misconduct but failed to report it through official channels before his conviction for serious sexual offences. This has led to calls for a comprehensive review of the party’s internal handling of such allegations, prompting an announced internal inquiry amid broader concerns over accountability in Northern Ireland politics.

The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Gavin Robinson, has acknowledged that some current and former party members possessed information about Jeffrey Donaldson’s conduct but did not disclose it to senior officials. Donaldson, who faces sentencing after a recent conviction on serious sexual offences against children, including one count of rape, has prompted scrutiny over what was known within the party prior to his arrest.

Donaldson has been in custody since his arrest in 2024, following his conviction last week. The DUP leader has maintained that the party was never formally informed of any allegations against Donaldson before his detention. However, media reports have suggested that some senior DUP figures were aware of concerns raised by another woman, unrelated to the court case, who chose not to make a formal complaint.

A programme by BBC Northern Ireland’s Spotlight revealed that the former Member of Parliament for North Antrim, Ian Paisley, said the woman had expressed her concerns but declined to file an official complaint. Paisley also stated that he reported the issue to Edwin Poots, who was DUP leader at the time.

Robinson emphasized that the party had no formal knowledge of these allegations and indicated that individuals with knowledge of inappropriate behaviour did not come forward through official channels. “It is clear there are a number of individuals, either former members of the DUP, or current who did indicate publicly on Friday that they had information that they did not share, information that was not reported through our appropriate channels and therefore information about which we could do nothing formally,” Robinson said.

The revelation has fueled calls from other parties at Stormont for a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the DUP’s handling of information related to Donaldson’s behaviour. The party has announced an internal inquiry in response to the conviction and subsequent public concerns.

As the investigation proceeds, questions persist regarding the internal communication within the DUP and the extent to which allegations were known but unreported, highlighting ongoing concerns about accountability and safeguarding within Northern Ireland’s political institutions.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.