Donaldson 'destroyed innocence of children', says Poots

Stormont speaker Edwin Poots has accused former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Jeffrey Donaldson of "destroying the innocence of children", after his conviction for child sex abuse.

He also accused Donaldson of telling lies many times over the years and added, he never imagined the former party leader could have been so "depraved".

Poots made the comments on Facebook, following Donaldson's conviction for 18 child sex offences, including rape, which he committed against two women when they were children.

Donaldson has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced later this year.

In a stinging attack, Poots quoted the Bible and said: "The Lord Jesus Christ said, of those who harm children, that it would be better if a millstone was put around their neck and they were cast into the depth of the sea."

He added that when Donaldson was faced with the "consequences of his actions he chose to lie" and to force his victims "to relive the trauma he perpetuated on them and accuse the victims of lying".

He also claimed to have found "Donaldson out on lies too many times over many years".

The speaker also paid tribute to the victims adding: "He may have broken them as children but failed to break them as adults.

"My heart goes out to the victims of his abuse. They demonstrated honesty, resilience, strength and integrity. I hope they have peace."

Poots was replaced by Donaldson as leader of the DUP in 2021 after a bitter split within the party. Poots had been leader for just three weeks.

Meanwhile, Stormont parties in the Northern Ireland Assembly have condemned Donaldson as a "fraudulent monster" who abused positions of power and trust by committing child sex abuse.

Speaking at Stormont on Tuesday during a matter of the day debate on his conviction, MLAs described him as having led a "double and duplicitous life", and paid tribute to the victims for having "courage to speak the truth".

All the parties also called for Donaldson to be stripped of his knighthood and removed from membership of the Privy Council.

Donaldson has been expelled from the Orange Order.

A spokesman said: "We do not comment on individual cases.

"However, in accordance with our rules, the membership of any individual found guilty of a serious criminal offence or ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register is terminated with immediate effect."