Jeffrey Donaldson steps down as DUP leader after being charged with historical sex crimes -*Read OP*

My name is URL

https://mydup.com/news/dup-statement-3

Mod Warning

There is to be no discussion of the charges

You can discuss the party and its future leadership, but there is to be no discussion of the case or any other allegations against Donaldson

*Threadbans*

Gusser09

Niman

Skimpydoo

long_b

DUP website struggling - possibly a better link - https://news.sky.com/story/amp/dup-leader-sir-jeffrey-donaldson-suspended-13103753

In a statement, the DUP said: "The Party Chairman has received a
letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged
with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is
stepping down as Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate
effect.

"In accordance with the Party Rules, the Party Officers
have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a
judicial process.

"The Party Officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the Interim Party Leader."

griffin100

historical sex offences according to the BBC

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-68686691

My name is URL

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121952910#Comment_121952910

Cheers, I wanted to post the DUP statement directly to avoid any confusion

.Donegal.

Hopefully it doesn’t lead to a collapse in the executive again if a “hardliner” takes over. Reform UK and the TUV have allied and attacking the DUP nonstop for the deal. The north needs some stability.

realdanbreen

They might make Edwin poots the guy who believes the world is 6000 years old leader again!

Cluedo Monopoly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121952934#Comment_121952934

Hard to believe there are still people that stupid in Ireland in 2024.

murpho999

Think this could cause serious problems for DUP and might lead to their political downfall. Hopefully.

martco

so if the likes of that Poots dinosaur lol gets elected will that be the Assembly down again?

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121952965#Comment_121952965

He was leader for five minutes already. Blown his chance.

Robinson 2 (he isn't related to Peter) has got it interim and likely will keep it

Dan Steely

….

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121953025#Comment_121953025

And is he going to leave his constituency without an attending Westminster rep, something he has moaned about SF doing before.

Danzy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121952934#Comment_121952934

Poots is considered pragmatic in many ways.

Beasty

There is to be no discussion of the charges

You can discuss the party and its future leadership, but there is to be no discussion of the case or any other allegations against Donaldson

Thread closed while I clean it up - edit Now Reopened

Spanish Eyes

Will SF benefit from this somehow?

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121953187#Comment_121953187

DUP voters are not going to change to SF, nor will it have any benefit in ROI.

The Unionist parties that are harder and softer line on things may both benefit, TUV and UUP

Potentially very destabilising for the Assembly just as it has started to be active and effective again. The timing is curious.

Spanish Eyes

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121953201#Comment_121953201

Yes, I suppose I meant in terms of the DUP losing their vice grip on the hardline. But as you say that depends on what happens next, and it may become an even more intransigent situation in the end. Hard to tell.

Fionn1952

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121953201#Comment_121953201

The DUP vote splitting between TUV and UUP would itself be beneficial to SF in fairness.

Danzy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121953201#Comment_121953201

It may split the unionist vote in places.

65535

I don't wish the man any harm - the only issue I have is that he looks like wee Daniel

But it enhances the progression towards a United Ireland - and hopefully that will happen soon

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121953237#Comment_121953237

More likely to benefit Alliance, could get them East Belfast.

It would cement SF in North Belfast too, but they hold that now

Alliance would probably win a by election for Jeffreys seat too.

Strazdas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121953247#Comment_121953247

Is Sorcha Eastwood the Alliance candidate in Donaldson's constituency? She is a very capable media performer and is young too.

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121953274#Comment_121953274

Yes. And she ran him closer than anyone expected last time - still over 6000 behind but people thought 10k+

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121952954#Comment_121952954

It might cause some problems but hopefully will not lead to their downfall. Whatever you think of the DUP, they are a known entity. You hardly need reminding that there's a sizable unionist community in NI and they need representation. Some alternative to the DUP might be considerably less to your taste.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121953239#Comment_121953239

How does it enhance the progression towards a United Ireland??

corkonion

So does this mean he remains in the assembly as an independent?

Strazdas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121953279#Comment_121953279

She received a load of praise for an appearance on the Stephen Nolan TV show a few months ago - people were impressed with how articulate she was and how she was getting her points across.

Working class heroes

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121953187#Comment_121953187

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121953187#Comment_121953187

possibly the Aliance party

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121953237#Comment_121953237

Or consolidate it. Unionists are pragmatic, they realise they are in a minority on the island. Quite capable of using constitutional politics to defend their position stoutly.

murpho999

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121953207#Comment_121953207

I don't see it was destabilising for the Assembly as he was not a member. New leader should be someone who supports the Assembly and they'll just carry on.