Politics · 2026-10-15 · Afternoon briefing

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson jailed for 15 years for child sex abuse

Jeffrey Donaldson, the former leader of Northern Ireland's DUP, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. The 63-year-old was convicted in June on 18 counts of child sex abuse, including one count of rape, committed against two women. He will also be required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

At Newry Crown Court, Judge Paul Ramsey noted Donaldson's "catastrophic descent into disgrace" and his continued denial of the offences, observing there has been no "regret, apology or shame". Donaldson is seeking to appeal the convictions. His wife, Eleanor, was found by a jury to have committed acts related to aiding and abetting four of his crimes.

Donaldson's political career began in 1985, leading to his appointment as DUP leader in 2021. The party, which he led until he was charged in March 2024, stated he deserved "every day" of his sentence. Knighted in 2016, Donaldson was stripped of the honour in July following his conviction.

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• Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson jailed for 15 years for child sex abuse
• Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years in prison for series of child sexual abuse offences
• Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson is jailed for 15 years for child sex abuse offences covered up by his wife for two decades
• Ex-leader of Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party sentenced to 15 years for sex abuse
• BREAKING: Jeffrey Donaldson, former DUP leader, jailed for 15 years for horrendous sexual offences

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