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An investigation has brought to light disturbing details concerning the hidden life of former MP Jeffrey Donaldson, who was recently convicted on multiple counts of sexual abuse. Senior ex-police officials and politicians have described his conduct as hypocritical, noting that it exposed him to potential manipulation by political adversaries. Among the revelations was Donaldson’s attendance at a London sauna known to cater to gay men, an act running counter to his public denunciations of homosexuality as “sinful.”
Although much of Donaldson’s behavior did not break the law, it illustrates a troubling pattern of duplicity. When approached about these allegations, Donaldson did not provide any comments. The former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) was found guilty this week on 18 charges related to sexual abuse, including rape, against two female victims who were children at the time of the offenses.
Ian Paisley, also a former DUP MP, revealed that five years ago a young woman came forward claiming that Donaldson had exploited her. Paisley described this individual as a “victim” in a private message sent during the 2021 DUP leadership contest between Donaldson and Edwin Poots. He emphasized the gravity of the woman’s allegations, stating, “She wasn’t a teenager but she was a young woman,” and recounted her words: “Jeffrey Donaldson exploited me, that man used me and I want you to do everything in your power to make sure he is not the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party.”
Paisley added that although the woman chose not to file a formal complaint, he informed Poots, who said, “We observed at all times the wishes of the young woman.” In response, the DUP issued a statement expressing surprise and dismay at the allegations, insisting the party had no prior knowledge of any inappropriate or criminal conduct by Donaldson and confirmed no complaints had ever been made internally or externally. Throughout his political career, Donaldson was seen as a composed figure capable of handling high-pressure situations, contributing to his steady rise and nearly three-decade tenure as a Westminster MP. However, reports indicate that during crucial peace talks to restore Stormont, he was engaging in risky behavior that jeopardized his personal security.
In 2006, two senior detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) witnessed Donaldson entering a London sauna known for being a meeting place for gay men. Located near the Houses of Parliament and security headquarters, this venue—named Chariots—has since closed. Retired Detective Chief Superintendent Tim Hanley, former head of the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch, confirmed with certainty that Donaldson had been seen at the sauna, a statement backed by another detective. Hanley commented on the contradiction between Donaldson’s private actions and his party’s public stance, saying, “Somebody’s sexuality is their own business. But I think it’s the whole, if you like, history of the DUP. They were opposed to gay marriage, they’ve always had that angle, that bigotry towards members of the gay community and that’s where the shock came from, that there could be such a double standard.” Donaldson’s hypocrisy was further illustrated by his public remarks to the Northern Ireland Assembly that year, in which he declared, “Judaism, Islam and Christianity all teach that homosexual practice is sinful… it is a sincerely held view by Christians and people of other faiths.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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