At approximately 0330 EST, social media users on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn reported that Northern Ireland Democratic Unionist Party Leader Donaldson’s entire social media presence had disappeared. This sparked a wave of concern over the loyalist opposition leader.
In a rapidly developing story, the Twitter/X account for the current leader of the DUP, Jeffrey Donaldson, has been restricted/removed. His Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin accounts are also now unavailable…@j_donaldson_mp pic.twitter.com/8W7d3xKyzO
— Henry Joy (@DiscipleElland) March 29, 2024
However, by 0630 EST, reports emerged that Northern Irish DUP party officers had convened an emergency session this afternoon with the call going out in the early morning. By 0800 EST, the meeting had convened.
At 0900 EST, the party had published this message:
““The Party Chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect.
In accordance with the Party Rules, the Party Officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.
The Party Officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the Interim Party Leader.”
Allegations and Possible Arrest
As of this publication, it is not clear what the “allegations of historical nature” are. However, the Police Service of Northern Ireland did publish an arrest report earlier today of a 61-year-old man and 57-year-old woman for “non-recent sexual offences” with the woman charged with “aiding and abetting”. Both persons are due to appear Newry Magistrates Court on April 24. While these individuals were not named in the police report, the ages would match up with the Donaldson.
Background on Donaldson and the DUP
Sir Jeffrey Mark Donaldson is a British politician who served as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) from 2021 to 2024. He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Lagan Valley since 1997, and leader of the DUP in the UK House of Commons since 2019. As of 2024, he is Northern Ireland’s longest-serving MP.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is a unionist, loyalist, British nationalist and national conservative political party in Northern Ireland. The party has been described as center-right to and socially conservative, being anti-abortion and opposing same-sex marriage. The DUP sees itself as defending Britishness and Ulster Protestant culture against Irish nationalism and republicanism. It is also Eurosceptic and supported Brexit.
