UUP to establish independent review over Jeffrey Donaldson's time in party

The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has announced plans to commission an independent review to investigate any concerns or information related to former member Jeffrey Donaldson’s time within the party. The decision comes after Donaldson was recently convicted of 18 sexual offenses, including one count of rape, against two women when they were children. The review aims to determine whether any complaints were made during Donaldson’s tenure in the UUP, which spanned from 1985 to 2003. According to the UUP, an initial internal review found that no formal or informal complaints about Donaldson were ever raised with the party during his membership. Additionally, the party stated that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) did not contact them regarding the alleged offenses. Despite these findings, the UUP emphasized that the absence of a recorded history does not rule out the possibility of further investigation. The party’s leader, Jon Burrows, initiated the review following Donaldson’s conviction, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability. The UUP has decided to engage an independent external organization to handle the review. This body will offer a confidential channel for individuals with relevant information or concerns to come forward. The review will also assess the party’s current safeguarding measures and suggest any necessary improvements. In addition, the UUP has reached out to PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, expressing support for a public appeal aimed at encouraging potential victims to come forward. The party reiterated its call for a fully independent public inquiry, which would have the authority to examine what, if anything, was known about Donaldson throughout his political career by various entities, including political parties, law enforcement, security agencies, and government bodies. The inquiry would focus on areas such as vetting processes, safeguarding protocols, and public appointments. The UUP expressed its commitment to cooperating fully with such an inquiry, including sharing its own records. The UUP noted that Donaldson’s alleged offenses occurred between 1985 and 2008, encompassing his time in both the UUP and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). The DUP has already commissioned an independent review into Donaldson’s time in their party, while the Northern Ireland Assembly has launched its own review into allegations of abuse or inappropriate behavior linked to his time at Stormont. These parallel investigations highlight the broader scrutiny surrounding Donaldson’s past actions. Donaldson has appealed against his convictions and is scheduled to be sentenced in September. His legal team has yet to comment publicly on the UUP’s decision to initiate the independent review. As the situation unfolds, the UUP’s move reflects growing pressure to address historical misconduct and improve safeguards within political institutions. The outcome of this review could influence future policies and practices within the party and beyond.