O'Neill calls on parties to publish reviews into sex offender Donaldson

First Minister Michelle O'Neill has called on the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) to publish their reviews into the activities of child sex abuser Jeffrey Donaldson during his time in their respective parties.

The former DUP leader was given a 15-year jail sentence after he was convicted of 18 child sex offences, including one count of rape, against two young girls.

The case was raised by Sinn Féin during a matter of the day debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly chamber.

The DUP accused Sinn Féin of using it to "score political points".

Both the DUP and UUP have launched separate independent reviews into Donaldson's time as a member of the parties.

He was a member of the UUP from 1982 until 2003, when he quit and joined the DUP.

He went on to become its leader in 2021.

Jim Gamble, the child safeguarding expert appointed to lead the DUP's review, said in July that he expected the process to take between four and six months.

The UUP launched its own review in September, with a deadline for responses that has been extended until 21 October.

The first minister said the public needed to know why no action was taken to address Donaldson's behaviour.

"We have heard about the warning signs of his inappropriate and predatory behaviour, and all appear to have been ignored," she said.

"We need to know who knew about it and why no action was taken and the question is could more have been done to stop Donaldson in his tracks."

The DUP accused Sinn Féin of using the case to "score political points".

Sinn Féin MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) Linda Dillon called on the DUP Education Minister Paul Givan to examine if there are any "safeguarding concerns arising from Jeffrey Donaldson's involvement with schools or boards of governors".

She also challenged the DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to look at "stronger regulation" for charities such as the Christian charity in Armoy, which was involved in the Donaldson case, to ensure sexual abuse is always reported.

"We will not allow anybody to use a position of power or trust as an air of respectability or cover for such behaviour," she said.

DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley said Jeffrey Donaldson deserves "every single day of his sentence and more" for his crimes against the two women.

He described him as a "perverted, self-centred demon".

But he accused Sinn Féin and the TUV of using the victims' "experience to further their political ends".

"It is a disgrace at the highest level that political representatives come to this chamber to try and score political points, have you any morality?"

Dillon said her first concern is for the victims, but that lessons needed to be learned when it comes to abuse of power.

TUV MLA Timothy Gaston also paid tribute to the "courage and tenacity" of the victims who he said ensured one of the most powerful people in Northern Ireland was brought to justice.

"This sordid affair has damaged trust in politics," he said.