Debate contribution: Jeffrey Donaldson: Further Revelations
Debate contribution by Miss Michelle McIlveen on .
- MLA
- Miss Michelle McIlveen
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 29 June 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Matter of the Day
- Heading
- Jeffrey Donaldson: Further Revelations
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5644486
Read the official Assembly record
Text
The guilty verdicts returned against Jeffrey Donaldson one week ago represented justice being delivered following the most serious and disturbing of criminal offences. No sentence can undo the harm that has been caused, but, at least, the victims can know that the truth has prevailed and the law has taken its course. Our thoughts remain with the victims and their families. For the courage that they demonstrated in coming forward and the strength that they showed throughout a lengthy and traumatic legal process, they deserve the respect of the entire House and the wider public. When Jeffrey Donaldson was first charged, the Democratic Unionist Party acted immediately, because we believe in the rule of law and in allowing criminal proceedings to take their proper course. In recent days, further allegations regarding inappropriate behaviour have emerged, and there have been suggestions that others may have been aware of aspects of that behaviour. Those matters are deeply concerning. That is precisely why our party leadership has commenced the process of commissioning a specialised independent review. We intend to follow the facts, wherever they lead. We could seek to deflect and to use today's debate to remind people of how Sinn Féin and the First Minister dealt with the McMonagle conviction or the scandal regarding Gerry Adams's brother Liam — about the cover-up and protection that was given to them. Indeed, the mover of the Matter of the Day is in no place to talk about truth and transparency: we all remember her timely trip to the toilet in Magennis's bar. Before seeking to occupy the moral high ground, others would do well to reflect on their own records. The DUP is clear that, when legitimate questions are raised, they must be answered. Openness, not evasion, is the only way to rebuild public confidence. We will not deflect, hide or shrink from scrutiny. We will follow the facts wherever they lead, because that is what victims deserve and what the people of Northern Ireland have every right to expect.
336 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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