Jeffrey Donaldson accused of raping woman in Westminster in 2016 as Met opens investigation

Jeffrey Donaldson, the former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, has been accused of raping a woman in the Houses of Parliament in 2016, according to reports from BBC Spotlight and the PA news agency.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed it received a referral from the Police Service of Northern Ireland on 13 October relating to “an allegation of rape in 2016, by a man now aged 63”. A Met 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 inquiries remain ongoing.” The statement did not identify Donaldson.

The Times reported that the alleged victim was interviewed by the PSNI before the referral was passed to the Met, which is now leading the investigation. BBC Spotlight reports that Donaldson is to be interviewed by Metropolitan Police detectives over the allegation. The reported allegation has not been proven in court.

Donaldson, 63, was sentenced at Newry Crown Court last week to 15 years in prison after being convicted in June of 18 sexual offences — including rape, indecent assault and gross indecency — committed against two women during their childhood between 1985 and 2008. He denied those charges and his solicitor has confirmed papers have been lodged for an appeal. Since his conviction, Donaldson has been stripped of his knighthood and removed from the Privy Council.

Donaldson led the DUP from 2021 to 2024 and was first elected to Parliament in 1997 as an Ulster Unionist MP before defecting to the DUP in 2003. He stepped down as leader in March 2024 after being charged. The new investigation concerns an allegation separate from the offences for which he has been sentenced.

Sources: BBC Spotlight | PA news agency | The Times | The Sun