The Democratic Unionist Party has commissioned an independent safeguarding review into what was known within its ranks about the conduct of former leader Jeffrey Donaldson, who was convicted last month of 18 sex offences, including one count of rape, relating to the abuse of two women when they were children.
The review will be led by Jim Gamble, a former Royal Ulster Constabulary officer and former head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command. Its terms of reference include establishing what information party officials held about Donaldson's behaviour, providing a confidential channel for members to come forward, and examining the DUP's safeguarding processes. The inquiry follows BBC Spotlight reports that some senior DUP figures were aware of another woman who had raised concerns about Donaldson's conduct.
Donaldson, convicted at Newry Crown Court, is due to be sentenced in September.