Jeffrey Donaldson to give up knighthood after being found guilty of rape

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the former DUP leader, has moved to renounce his knighthood and resign from the Privy Council following his conviction for 18 sexual offences.

Donaldson, 63, was unanimously found guilty by a jury at Newry Crown Court of offences including rape, committed against two women when they were children between 1985 and 2008.

His solicitor confirmed that Donaldson signed letters to the Cabinet Office and Privy Council office to formally relinquish his titles, after political figures called for their removal.

Judge Paul Ramsey informed Donaldson that he can expect a “lengthy” prison sentence when he is formally sentenced for the crimes.

Former appeal court judge Sir John Gillen stated that the trial “struck a real blow” for sexual offence victims, highlighting the “immense courage” of the victims and the significant changes in how such cases are handled in Northern Ireland, despite ongoing concerns about “rape myths”.