Ulster Unionists launch safeguarding review into sex offender Donaldson

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has launched an independent safeguarding review into sex offender Jeffrey Donaldson's conduct during his 21-year membership of the party.

The former MP was convicted in June of 18 counts of sex abuse including one count of rape, which he committed against two women when they were children. Donaldson is seeking to appeal.

He was a member of the UUP between 1982 and 2003 before joining and later becoming leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

The UUP said the review will be led by safeguarding consultant Anne Marks with support from an advisory group of independent victim advocates.

It will cover the period of Donaldson's membership of the party and is "deliberately broad in scope", aiming to provide a "confidential, independent and trauma-informed channel for anyone with relevant information or experience to come forward".

Submissions to the review can be made over the next four weeks until 14 October.

The review will consider information ranging from any allegations of "sexual misconduct, harassment, coercive or controlling behaviour" to claims of "abuse of status or authority".

The UUP said the independent safeguarding professional would refer any relevant information to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

The formal launch of the review followed the party announcing in July its plan to appoint an independent organisation for people to confidentially share any information.

"The Ulster Unionist Party has taken the time necessary to build a review that can command the confidence of victims, survivors and the wider public," the party said in a statement.

It said the consultation has included the Men's Advisory Project, Nexus NI, NI Survivor Council (NISC), Victim Support NI and Women's Aid.

"At the conclusion of the review, the Independent safeguarding professional will author a report setting out her findings and recommendations.

"The Ulster Unionist Party has committed to publishing the report as far as is legally possible."

UUP leader Jon Burrows said Donaldson's conviction "exposed one of the most serious breaches of trust in public life in Northern Ireland" and his 21-year membership of the party "carries an obligation".

"We owe it to the victims, and we owe it to the public, to establish honestly and independently whether there is anything the party should have known, should have acted upon or should have done differently during those years," he said in a statement.

"That is what this review is for. It is independent. It is led by one of the most experienced safeguarding professionals in Northern Ireland.

"It is confidential for anyone who comes forward, and it has a direct referral pathway to the police where the law requires. Whatever it finds, this party will act upon its findings.

"I want to say clearly to anyone with information, or with an experience they have carried, sometimes for many years: please come forward. Your voice will be heard, and you will be given all the support necessary."

Speaking later on Radio Ulster's Talkback programme, Burrows said the review is about "giving anyone who wishes to raise issues" the opportunity to do so.

Burrows said he has written to the UK government calling for a full public inquiry into Donaldson's time in public life.

"This is something that all organisations are grappling with now, how to be as gold standard as possible about safeguarding," he said.

"To make sure that people have an avenue to come forward."

The review is one of several launched in the wake of the conviction of Donaldson, a former MP for the Lagan Valley constituency.

The DUP commissioned Jim Gamble, a child safety expert and former senior police officer, to lead an independent review into Donaldson's behaviour while he was in that party.

Staff in the Northern Ireland Civil Service have been asked to come forward with any experiences of abuse or inappropriate behaviour during Donaldson's time as a junior minister.

Earlier this month, a review by the Northern Ireland Assembly into Donaldson's conduct during his time at Stormont found "no relevant information" requiring further investigation.