The DUP said yesterday that Mr Donaldson had been charged with 'allegations of a historical nature' and that he would be stepping down as leader.
Jeffrey Donaldson's resignation as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party comes after an almost 40-year run in politics.
Mr Donaldson assumed leadership of the DUP during a turbulent time for the party which saw it boycott Northern Ireland's political institutions in protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements. READ MORE: Sir Jeffrey Donaldson charged with 'rape': DUP boss resigns after being accused of historic sex offences, throwing party into chaos with its new leader branding the allegations a 'devastating revelation' Advertisement After protracted negotiations, the party agreed to return to Stormont in February following the agreement of a new deal on trade arrangements and a series of measures aimed at providing assurances around Northern Ireland's constitutional position...
Mr Donaldson, who is the longest-serving MP in Northern Ireland, became DUP leader in July 2021 following the resignation of Edwin Poots.Jeffrey Donaldson outside Belfast Waterfront Hall, Friday, November 26, 1999 Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Northern Ireland Secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris speak to the media on January 31, 2024, in Belfast
Recently talking about his UDR cap, he said: 'I value my Britishness as represented by the crown but I also value the Irish element of my identity as represented by the harp.In 1985, aged 22, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly, becoming the youngest person to win a seat at Stormont.
He denied the films were adult in nature and repaid the £555 while saying he was wrong to submit the claims. Mr Robinson would be an early favourite to become the permanent successor and his elevation would be unlikely to prompt a change in the party's recent enthusiastic backing for the devolved institutions.
The identity of the new leader could have ramifications for DUP deputy first minister Emma Little‑Pengelly as she was very much a Donaldson pick as the party's nominee to jointly lead the Stormont coalition. Appointed leader of the DUP in the summer of 2021, Mr Donaldson made the call early the following year to withdraw then DUP first minister Paul Givan from the Stormont Executive, thus collapsing the powersharing administration, as part of the party's protest strategy against post-Brexit economic barriers on trade between Britain and Northern Ireland.
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