Stormont parties praise courage of Donaldson’s victims as former MP jailed

Stormont political parties have praised the strength of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson’s victims, after he was sentenced to 15 years for a series of historical sex offences against two women when they were children.

Some highlighted the need for more protections to prevent violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland, in light of the conviction of a man previously one of the region’s most influential politicians.

The DUP have announced an internal review into the former leader, as have the UUP, the party Donaldson represented from the beginning of his political career in 1985 until 2003.

In a statement from the DUP they said Donaldson “deserves every day of the lengthy prison sentence” and “regardless of status or position every individual must be held accountable for their actions”.

UUP leader Jon Burrows said Donaldson’s sentence “reflects the gravity of his crimes and the lifelong harm he inflicted on his victims”.

“No sentence can give back what was taken from them,” he said.

“But today’s outcome is the clearest possible statement that no office, no status and no reputation places anyone above the law, and that the courage of victims who come forward will be met with the full weight of justice.

“Beyond this case, the example these two women have set has already reached other survivors of historical abuse.

“Charities and support organisations have reported an increase in calls from people who drew strength from their example to seek help and to report what happened to them.

“That is a profound service to the whole community, and one that will long outlast this case.”

Mr Burrows said the party’s investigation into Donaldson’s time in the party was ongoing and pledged that “the party will act on whatever it finds”.

Sinn Féin MP for North Belfast John Finucane said the victims and their families “have shown immense courage in coming forward and seeking justice”.

“The 15-year sentence is another important step towards accountability and recognition of the victims’ suffering,” he said.

“It is a significant moment for the victims and their families who have shown great resilience throughout.

“However, it cannot undo the abuse they endured.

“The focus must remain on supporting the victims in the time ahead.

“We must also increase our efforts to end the scourge of violence against women and girls in our society.”

Alliance Party deputy leader Eóin Tennyson MLA said he was “in awe” of the two women’s “extraordinary strength, dignity and resilience”.

He said: “Today’s sentencing recognises the heinous abuse they have suffered and represents an important step towards accountability. While no sentence can undo the harm, I hope today will bring some comfort to them and their loved ones.

“We must ensure our focus remains on supporting the survivors, protecting and respecting their anonymity, while renewing our determination to end violence against women and girls in our society.”

TUV leader Jim Allister also praised the “courage” of Donaldson’s victims, adding: “I trust it might encourage other victims of sexual crimes to come forward, not least because it shows that in this instance the politically powerful are not above the law. We need to see more of that.”

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said the DUP’s assertion that “justice has been done simply won’t wash”.

“Abuse that went unpunished for up to four decades is not proof that the system works,” he said.

“Powerful men are shielded by parties that close ranks and by a culture of deference that silences women and children. A review commissioned by the DUP into itself can’t be trusted to uncover what was known and when.

“Meaningful justice will take far more than one high-profile sentence. It means properly funding Women’s Aid and rape crisis services so women aren’t turned away from essential services.

“Crucially, it means building a movement from below to end gender-based violence and oppression, because these institutions have failed victims time and again.”