The Ulster Unionist Party has announced it has appointed an independent expert to review former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson’s time in the party.
It is the latest in a number of organisations to launch reviews after the 63-year-old was convicted at Newry Crown Court of 18 sex offences, including one count of rape, relating to the abuse of two women when they were children.
The offences were committed between 1985 and 2008.
He is currently jailed at Maghaberry Prison awaiting sentencing later this year.
Since his conviction he has been stripped of his knighthood and removed from the Privy Council, while a number of organisations, including the DUP, are holding reviews.
Donaldson was a member of the UUP from 1982 to 2003, and served as an elected representative.
On Wednesday the UUP said it had launched an independent safeguarding review into Donaldson’s time in its ranks.
It is being led by Anne Marks, who the UUP described as an independent, trauma-informed safeguarding consultant with more than 30 years of frontline experience in trauma and victim-survivor support.
She is to be supported by an advisory group of independent victim advocates.
The review is intended to provide a confidential, independent and trauma-informed channel for anyone with relevant information or experience to come forward, including members of the public, former and current UUP members, staff, constituency workers, elected representatives, volunteers, witnesses and confidants.
It has been described as “deliberately broad in scope”, and can receive information concerning alleged sexual misconduct, harassment, coercive or controlling behaviour, bullying, misogyny, intimidation, exploitation, abuse of status or authority, retaliation, and other boundary violations involving adults.
In a statement, the UUP said where the law requires disclosure, information will be referred directly to police.
The party also said the design of the review has been shaped by consultation with a number of victims’ groups, including the Men’s Advisory Project, Nexus NI, NI Survivor Council, Victim Support NI and Women’s Aid.
It also committed to publish the resulting report and recommendations “as far as is legally possible”.
UUP leader Jon Burrows described Donaldson’s conviction as “exposing one of the most serious breaches of trust in public life in Northern Ireland”.
He added: “Jeffrey Donaldson was a member of the Ulster Unionist Party for 21 years, from 1982 to 2003. That fact 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.
“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.”
Mr Burrows said he wanted to assure anyone with information or an experience that their voice will be heard and they will be supported.
“This review was designed in consultation with victims’ groups, whose expertise and honesty have shaped it,” he said. “I am grateful to them, and to those they represent, for the work they have done alongside us to ensure this process can command confidence.
“The Ulster Unionist Party called on the UK Government for a full independent public inquiry into what was known about Jeffrey Donaldson throughout his public career. That inquiry has been declined.
“In its absence, we are determined to ensure that anyone affected by this man during his years in the Ulster Unionist Party has the opportunity to be heard, to have their experience properly examined, and to help ensure the full truth is told.”
