Jeffrey Donaldson removed from Privy Council

By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

Jeffrey Donaldson has been removed from the Privy Council, it has been confirmed.

Former DUP leader Donaldson was last month convicted at Newry Crown Court of 18 sex offences, including one count of rape, relating to abuse of two women when they were children.

In a statement from the clerk of the Privy Council, it was confirmed that Donaldson had asked for his name to be removed from the list of members last month.

The Privy Council is a body of senior advisers to the King.

The clerk said: “Now, therefore, by and with the advice of His Majesty’s Privy Council, it is hereby ordered, that the name of the said Jeffrey Donaldson be removed from the list of Members of His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council.”

Donaldson has also moved to renounce his knighthood – a process which can occur through a recommendation of the Forfeiture Committee, convened under the Cabinet Office.

The body’s recommendations for forfeiture are submitted through the Prime Minister to the King.

Earlier this week, the DUP revealed details of a “focused, independent review” commissioned to establish what was known within the party about Donaldson’s conduct.

The review will be led by Jim Gamble, a former RUC officer and head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP) Centre.