Expert reviewing Donaldson's time in DUP will 'leave no stone unturned'

The man leading the review into Jeffrey Donaldson's time in the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has insisted he will not "cover up for anyone".

Donaldson was convicted of 18 counts of sex abuse last month, including one count of rape, committed against two women when they were children.

Jim Gamble also said he would "leave no stone unturned" and anything he found which disclosed "harm to children or vulnerable adults" will be immediately shared with the statutory authorities.

The child safeguarding expert was responding to concerns raised about the independence of his review which has been commissioned by the DUP leader Gavin Robinson.

"If I didn't believe Gavin Robinson wanted a warts and all review I wouldn't be doing it" Gamble said.

He also rejected claims that his review could be compromised because his company is also involved in reviewing safeguarding concerns involving the Presbyterian Church.

He said the terms of references for both are "different" as the DUP investigation will be focused on safeguarding, whistleblowing and on whether pathways can be improved.

Gamble also denied having any previous links with the DUP revealing that he was a member of the Northern Ireland Labour Party and has previously voted for the Ulster Unionist and Alliance parties.

Questions have been raised about the review including claims from First Minister Michelle O'Neill that it will end up as a "whitewash".

But Gamble told Radio Ulster's Talkback programme that his review will be fully independent and added "our business would do nothing if we compromised our integrity and did not put victims first".

"We are not going to leave any stone unturned and we are not about protecting the blushes of others" he said.

When asked if he believed his final report should be published in full, he said that was a "matter for the DUP".

But he warned if there was an issue which he felt should be shared then he would "go public with his concerns".

"We will not cover up for anyone, never have and never will" he said

Gamble said he expected the review to take between four and six months.

The leader of the DUP said Gamble's review into Donaldson's time as a member of the party would be "robust".

Robinson said Gamble had "impeccable and unquestionable credentials in the safeguarding sphere".

He said: "I have no questions about [Gamble's] independence or capacity to do this review and I'm pleased that he is doing so."

The DUP said Gamble, as part of the iNEQE Safeguarding Group, would conduct an Independent Focused Safeguarding Review for the party into Donaldson's time as a member of the party.

A BBC Spotlight investigation has revealed that two senior DUP members were made aware of different allegations against Donaldson five years ago, when a young woman said she had been "exploited" by him.

Earlier this year, Gamble was appointed to carry out an external review of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland's governance and safeguarding arrangements.

Earlier this month, the Northern Ireland Survivor Council said: " It is reasonable to question whether one organisation can independently and robustly conduct both reviews at the same time."

They called on the DUP to commission a "different" safeguarding organisation to undertake the review.

Gavin Robinson said that he is taking the review into Jeffrey Donaldson's time as a member "seriously".

Robinson told Good Morning Ulster: "I have engaged the UK's foremost expert, I have no questions about his independence or capacity to do this review.

"This is to satisfy not only myself but in time the general public about what occurred within our party, what was known what could have been known and whether our safeguarding policies and procedures in place are correct or if they need to change."