London Police Investigate Rape Allegation Against Jailed Ex-DUP Leader Donaldson

London’s Metropolitan Police are investigating an allegation that Jeffrey Donaldson, the jailed former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), raped a woman inside the Houses of Parliament in 2016, according to the BBC. No arrests have been made, and police describe the inquiry as being at an early stage.

The allegation comes days after Donaldson was sentenced to prison for separate child sex offences. He has not been charged in connection with the new claim.

What the Met has confirmed

The Met did not name Donaldson. In a statement, it said it received a report on Tuesday, Oct. 13, passed on by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), about an alleged rape in 2016 by a man now aged 63. The BBC reported that the man under investigation is Donaldson. The Irish News also said it is understood the allegation concerns him.

The force said the allegation involves one victim, who is being supported by specialist officers. It added that “the investigation is in its early stages,” that no arrests have been made and that inquiries are continuing.

How the allegation came to light

According to the BBC, the woman was interviewed by PSNI officers. Because the alleged incident took place in London, the PSNI shared her account with the Met.

The Belfast Telegraph first reported in July that a woman from Northern Ireland alleged Donaldson sexually assaulted her in the DUP offices at Parliament in 2016. According to that reporting, she said he tried to get her to drink vodka shots in his office, then tried to kiss her and put his hand up her skirt. On Saturday, the newspaper reported that the Met was set to investigate and interview Donaldson about those claims.

The BBC said it has now emerged, in response to its questions, that the same woman has also alleged she was raped. Slugger O’Toole, which republished the BBC’s report, reminded readers not to speculate about the identity of any of Donaldson’s victims or new alleged victims.

The existing convictions

Last week Donaldson was sentenced to 15 years in prison for a series of child sex offences against two victims, including one count of rape. The BBC reported that those offences took place between 1985 and 2008. Donaldson is seeking to appeal his convictions. The new allegation is separate from the offences for which he was sentenced.

What this means at this stage

For readers following the case, the key point is that the rape claim remains an allegation under investigation. No one has been arrested or charged over it, and the Met has said only that inquiries are ongoing. Donaldson’s comments on the new allegation were not included in the reports reviewed here.

The case is also notable for its location. The BBC described the alleged incident as taking place at the heart of the political establishment, and the claim relates to the DUP’s offices within Parliament. Police have not said what further steps they plan, and the reports give no timeline for any decision on charges.

The separate appeal against Donaldson’s convictions for child sex offences is also pending. Those convictions and the sentence stand while he seeks to challenge them.

Around Prague, based on reporting by BBC, The Irish News, Slugger O'Toole