Debate contribution: Jeffrey Donaldson: Sentencing
Debate contribution by Mr Timothy Gaston on .
- MLA
- Mr Timothy Gaston
- Party at the time
- Traditional Unionist Voice
- Date
- 19 October 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Matter of the Day
- Heading
- Jeffrey Donaldson: Sentencing
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5795240
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I begin by paying tribute to victim A and victim B. Their courage, tenacity and resolve saw one of the most powerful people in Northern Ireland finally brought to justice. I cannot begin to comprehend the fear, anxiety and sleepless nights that Donaldson inflicted on those young victims, both at an early age when growing up in their younger years and when going through the trauma and ordeal of the court case. Their bravery should be an encouragement to people across Northern Ireland who have suffered at the hands of paedophiles and perverts such as Jeffrey Donaldson. Their bravery should encourage those people to come forward to tell their story. In this case, we have seen that justice has been done, and it shows that no one, regardless of their position or stature, is above the law. Positive as all that is, we would be naive to believe that the sordid affair has not damaged trust in politics. Donaldson's political legacy is not that of the character he created and played throughout his lifetime; it is not one of advancing unionism. His political legacy is the restoration of this place on the basis of lies and deceit. Indeed, we are sitting here today only because Jeffrey Donaldson, while he was the leader of the DUP, did a deal with the then Government that claimed that the Irish Sea border was gone; a deal that claimed that Northern Ireland's position in the United Kingdom was restored; a deal that, we all know, like the life of Jeffrey Donaldson, was a tissue of lies and monumental deceit. What did the British Government know about Donaldson's double life during the negotiations that restored this place? While members of the DUP may not have known about Donaldson's double life and the fact that he was a pervert, they would have known, like the rest of us, that the Donaldson deal was nothing but a sham. The conviction of Jeffrey Donaldson has delivered justice for his victims. I trust that they will now be able to start living their lives with the knowledge and confidence that their actions have ensured that Donaldson will hurt no one —
— else in his lifetime.
367 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Awaiting analysis
This record has not been analysed yet. It is not counted in any total until it has been assessed.
Disagree with this assessment?
Classifications can be challenged. A person reviews every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.