The DUP thread

[seafoid]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/24/ex-dup-leader-gives-up-knighthood-over-sex-abuse-conviction/

Donaldson gives up knighthood over sex abuse conviction
Former DUP leader 'renounces and forfeits' title awarded for services to politics



Jeffrey Donaldson was found guilty of abusing two girls over more than 20 years Credit: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
Tim Sigsworth
News Reporter
Tim Sigsworth
Tim Sigsworth is a general News Reporter for The Telegraph, covering topics in the United Kingdom. See more
Published 24 June 2026 4:48pm BST
 Jeffrey Donaldson has given up his knighthood after being convicted of child sexual abuse.

The former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) abused two girls over more than 20 years, in crimes covered up by his wife.

The "deceitful" ex-politician is facing jail after being convicted at Newry Crown Court on Monday.

Donaldson, 63, has requested to "renounce and forfeit his knighthood" in a letter to the Cabinet Office, his solicitor said on Wednesday.

He has also tendered his resignation from the Privy Council, which formally advises the King.

Honours can be taken away from recipients who are later convicted of crimes, and they are also able to renounce them voluntarily.

John McBurney, Donaldson's solicitor, said: "I have this afternoon issued a letter signed by Jeffrey Donaldson to the Cabinet Office indicating his request to renounce and forfeit his knighthood.

[tiempo]

Good for the cvnt

[quit yo jibbajabba]

Fair play Jeffrey maybe not a bad oul spud after all

[playwiththewind1st]

Fair play Jeffrey maybe not a bad oul spud after all

Is Eleanor now called "the artiste formerly known as Lady Donaldson"?

[seafoid]

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/comment/news-analysis/donaldson-may-have-held-it-together-in-witness-box...-but-it-was-a-different-story-in-courthouse-corridors/a/157570431.html
Leaders lose power. They misjudge public opinion; they fail to win elections; they're ousted by rivals. But Donaldson's downfall is far outside the normal currency of politics.
The month after Paisley's  funeral, almost 1,000 people attended a public memorial for him in the Ulster Hall. Donaldson will never be remembered like that.
He has already died a political death from which there is no resurrection.

[Mourne Red]

Surely that's an admission of guilt after the verdict went against him? Else he would appeal?

[David McKeown]

Surely that's an admission of guilt after the verdict went against him? Else he would appeal?

Doesn't work like that.

[general_lee]

Am I correct in saying he can't appeal anything until he's been sentenced? Although, him surrendering his title would suggest to me he may only appeal the sentencing rather than the conviction.

[Mourne Red]

Surely that's an admission of guilt after the verdict went against him? Else he would appeal?

Doesn't work like that.

Not being cheeky just generally interested how does it work David?

[seafoid]

So they did know


https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/dup-figures-supported-sex-pest-donaldson-despite-warnings-over-a-19-year-old-girl/a/157643273.html

Two DUP figures were told that Jeffrey Donaldson was a sex pest, but they continued to support him, a party insider has said.

The source revealed that the Lagan Valley MP had "made a nuisance of himself" with a young woman around 40 years his junior.

The insider said: "Jeffrey was chasing a 19-year-old girl when he was in his 50s. She wasn't interested in him. She didn't want him pursuing her. I've known Jeffrey to be a creep for a long time."

[p3427977]

Surely that's an admission of guilt after the verdict went against him? Else he would appeal?

Am I correct in saying he can't appeal anything until he's been sentenced? Although, him surrendering his title would suggest to me he may only appeal the sentencing rather than the conviction.

No he has 28 days to appeal from Monday. That's to appeal the guilty verdict. After sentencing, as it's outside the 28 days, he can only appeal the actual sentence.

[David McKeown]

Surely that's an admission of guilt after the verdict went against him? Else he would appeal?

Am I correct in saying he can't appeal anything until he's been sentenced? Although, him surrendering his title would suggest to me he may only appeal the sentencing rather than the conviction.

Not exactly technically no by rule he should be appealing now but the practical reality is that you wait.

Surrendering his title is probably the strategically correct thing to do. Donaldson is convicted rapist. Unless that is over turned on appeal he will always be a convicted rapist.

So if he wasn't to give up his honour he would have to defend why as a convicted rapist he should keep it. He can't really say because I intend to appeal because a that could be said indefinitely and b it doesn't change that he is still a rapist. His presumption of innocence no longer exists.

As a result his title would be stripped anyway. So he's better to give it up now and then if he wants try and get it back after a voluntary surrender where he to successfully appeal (I've no idea if he intends to or has any grounds to) than to try and get it back after being stripped of it.

[David McKeown]

Surely that's an admission of guilt after the verdict went against him? Else he would appeal?

Am I correct in saying he can't appeal anything until he's been sentenced? Although, him surrendering his title would suggest to me he may only appeal the sentencing rather than the conviction.

No he has 28 days to appeal from Monday. That's to appeal the guilty verdict. After sentencing, as it's outside the 28 days, he can only appeal the actual sentence.

Well there's two schools of thought on this. I'm in this camp but I'm a lifelong holder of minority views. The COA unfortunately to prevent multiple applications will inevitably extend time. The common practice therefore is 28 days from sentence.

[p3427977]

Surely that's an admission of guilt after the verdict went against him? Else he would appeal?

Am I correct in saying he can't appeal anything until he's been sentenced? Although, him surrendering his title would suggest to me he may only appeal the sentencing rather than the conviction.

No he has 28 days to appeal from Monday. That's to appeal the guilty verdict. After sentencing, as it's outside the 28 days, he can only appeal the actual sentence.

Well there's two schools of thought on this. I'm in this camp but I'm a lifelong holder of minority views. The COA unfortunately to prevent multiple applications will inevitably extend time. The common practice therefore is 28 days from sentence.

Ah didnt know it could be changed. Im just going by what a solicitor said on Talkback on Tuesday.

[RadioGAAGAA]

I thought you couldn't just appeal on a whim - you needed to show something incorrect that did, or something new has emerged that would, affect the outcome.

Going back in and shouting louder that its lies won't work. Its not an environment where DUP negotiation tactics will suffice.