DUP leader promises ‘robust’ review into Donaldson’s time in the party

The DUP said Gamble, as part of the iNEQE Safeguarding Group, would conduct an Independent Focused Safeguarding Review for the party into Donaldson’s time as a member of the party.

A BBC Spotlight investigation has revealed that two senior DUP members were made aware of different allegations against Donaldson five years ago, when a young woman said she had been “exploited” by him.

Earlier this year, Gamble was appointed to carry out an external review of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s governance and safeguarding arrangements.

Earlier this month, the Northern Ireland Survivor Council said: ” It is reasonable to question whether one organisation can independently and robustly conduct both reviews at the same time.”

They called on the DUP to commission a “different” safeguarding organisation to undertake the review.

Gavin Robinson said that he is taking the review into Jeffrey Donaldson’s time as a member “seriously”.

Robinson told Good Morning Ulster: “I have engaged the UK’s foremost expert, I have no questions about his independence or capacity to do this review.

“This is to satisfy not only myself but in time the general public about what occurred within our party, what was known what could have been known and whether our safeguarding policies and procedures in place are correct or if they need to change.”