Debate contribution: Jeffrey Donaldson: Rape and Child Sexual Abuse Conviction
Debate contribution by Mr Jon Burrows on .
- MLA
- Mr Jon Burrows
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 23 June 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Matter of the Day
- Heading
- Jeffrey Donaldson: Rape and Child Sexual Abuse Conviction
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5636685
Read the official Assembly record
Text
On behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, I praise the courage and tenacity of the victims of Jeffrey Donaldson. They showed remarkable courage in giving the evidence that they did and in taking the case to court. While we are all equal under the law — that is an important lesson — they knew full well that they were not giving evidence against a private citizen. They knew the level of public and media scrutiny and attention that the case would invoke, yet they gave evidence. They got justice, and there is a powerful lesson in that for everyone across the United Kingdom and across these islands: no matter the accuser, the power that the accused has or how long ago the crime occurred, there is a justice system in which we are all equal; the Police Service will follow the evidence without fear or favour; the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) will do its job without fear or favour; and the judge and jury will do their job impartially and professionally. If any good comes from this, I hope that it is that more victims come forward against anyone in our country who is a predator or sexual abuser. The victims have anonymity, and that should absolutely be protected. We should always remember, however, as they will have known, that anonymity does not spare you the ordeal of reliving an incident and giving evidence to the police and in court about the most invasive, vile abuse of your body by the perpetrator. It does not spare you cross-examination and being called a liar, as Jeffrey Donaldson accused them of being. The sentencing will be a matter for the judge independently, but only the most severe sentence is appropriate. Not only were they vile crimes against the most vulnerable children but Donaldson showed no remorse. He turned the tables on the victims and said that they were the liars. They had to watch him walk around leading a double life, even having the audacity to wear a Christian symbol on his lapel as he walked into court. He stands in disgrace. I have, as is right, written to the Forfeiture Committee in the hope that he will be stripped of his knighthood. As far as I am aware, there is no way of removing the lavish, taxpayer-funded pension that will go into his bank account every month when he is in prison. In cases such as this, that is appalling. This country owes the victims a huge debt of gratitude. They did the most difficult thing imaginable, and, in doing so, they have sent a signal to everyone that we are all equal under the law. If you are a victim of crime, come forward. You can get justice.
458 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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