Police investigate ex-DUP leader Donaldson over 2016 Parliament rape allegation

Summarised from 6 outlets · 8 reports · Updated 21 Oct, 16:39 · Archive

Police are investigating former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson over an allegation that he raped a woman in the Houses of Parliament in 2016. The Metropolitan Police received the report from the Police Service of Northern Ireland on 13 October. A Met Police spokesman said: 'The allegation relates to one victim who is being supported by specialist officers. The investigation is in its early stages. No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.'

The woman has been interviewed by Police Service of Northern Ireland officers, who shared her allegations with Scotland Yard. The Daily Mail reports that the alleged victim accused Donaldson of attacking her in the DUP offices in Westminster, claiming he tried to kiss her and put his hand up her skirt after attempting to get her to drink vodka shots.

Allegations were first reported in July by the Belfast Telegraph. Donaldson, 63, was jailed last week for 15 years for historical child sex abuse offences. He was convicted in June of 18 offences against two victims committed between 1985 and 2008, including one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency. He received an 11-year sentence for offences against one victim and four years for those against another.

Following his conviction, Donaldson was stripped of his knighthood and removed from the Privy Council. His solicitor has confirmed that papers have been lodged for an appeal against his conviction.

How it is being reported

• Ex-MP to be questioned over ‘rape of woman in Parliament’Jeffrey Donaldson was sentenced to 15 years in prison last week for a series of child sex offences (Picture: AFP/GETTY IMAGES) A disgraced former MP and party leader has been accused of raping a woman in the Houses of Parliament . Jeffrey Donaldson, who once led the Democratic Unionist Party, is…Metro · 21 Oct, 16:37
• Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson to be interviewed by Met over ‘rape in Parliament’Jailed Jeffrey Donaldson is accused of attacking a woman in Westminster in 2016Evening Standard · 21 Oct, 16:35
• Ex-DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson investigated over alleged rape inside ParliamentFormer DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police over a report of an alleged rape in the Houses of ParliamentThe Mirror · 21 Oct, 16:34
• Jeffrey Donaldson facing new police probe over alleged rape of woman in ParliamentScotland Yard is set to interview the former MP, Jeffrey Donaldson, over an alleged rape of a woman in the Houses of Parliament. The disgraced politician has been accused of raping the woman in Westminster in 2016. It is understood the alleged victim has been interviewed by Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers before the case was passed to Scotland Yard officers. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police told the BBC: "On Tuesday 13 October, the Met received a report referred to us by the Police Service of Northern Ireland relating to an allegation of rape in 2016, by a man now…GB News · 21 Oct, 16:06
• Ex-DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson accused of 2016 rape inside WestminsterMet Police are investigating a report passed on by officers in Northern Ireland.Evening Standard · 21 Oct, 15:57
• Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson is accused of raping woman inside ParliamentFormer DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson is to be interviewed by police over the alleged rape of a woman inside the Houses of Parliament.Daily Mail · 21 Oct, 15:41
• Jailed former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson accused of raping woman inside Westminster - reportsPolice are investigating former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson over an allegation that he raped a woman in the Houses of Parliament, the PA news agency reports.Sky News · 21 Oct, 11:50
• Jailed former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson accused of raping woman inside Parliament - reportsPolice are investigating former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson over an allegation that he raped a woman in the Houses of Parliament, the PA news agency reports.Sky News · 21 Oct, 11:50

In this story: Jeffrey Donaldson · Democratic Unionist Party · Metropolitan Police · Police Service of Northern Ireland · Houses of Parliament · Westminster

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