Investigation Reveals Double Life of Jeffrey Donaldson
On Monday, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was convicted of 18 sexual abuse charges.
An investigation has brought to light further details about the double life led by the disgraced former MP Jeffrey Donaldson.
Senior former police officers and politicians have commented on behaviour they described as hypocritical, which placed Donaldson at risk of being compromised by his political adversaries.
Among the incidents was a visit to a London sauna that was known as a meeting place for gay men, occurring in the same year Donaldson publicly described homosexuality as "sinful".
While much of this conduct was not illegal, it reveals a narrative of a 'double life'.
The BBC Northern Ireland Spotlight programme reached out to Donaldson regarding these allegations, but he did not provide a response.
Conviction and Allegations of Exploitation
The former DUP leader was convicted this week on 18 counts of sexual abuse, including one count of rape, offences committed against two females when they were children.
Former DUP MP Ian Paisley disclosed that five years ago a young woman approached him claiming she had been "exploited" by Donaldson.
Paisley referred to her as a "victim" in a text message sent to another politician during the 2021 DUP leadership contest between Donaldson and Edwin Poots.
"She wasn't a teenager but she was a young woman,"
"And she said 'Jeffrey Donaldson exploited me, that man used me and I want you to do everything in your power to make sure he is not the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party'."
Paisley was still serving as a DUP MP when Donaldson became party leader in 2021.
"The woman wasn't talking to me on some minor issue. This was deeply upsetting."
Paisley stated the woman did not wish to file a formal complaint but that he informed Poots about her allegations.
Edwin Poots responded by saying:
"We observed at all times the wishes of the young woman."
A DUP statement declared that the party "has no knowledge of these issues raised and is shocked to learn of these alleged incidents highlighted.
"At no time did the party receive any complaints internally or externally about inappropriate and/or criminal behaviour by Jeffrey Donaldson."
Edwin Poots was appointed as Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2024.
Donaldson’s Political Reputation and Security Risks
As a politician, Donaldson was known for his ability to perform under pressure during major events.
This reputation contributed to his rapid rise within his parties and his ability to maintain a secure Westminster seat for nearly three decades.
However, the BBC has been informed that Donaldson took significant risks with his personal security during peace negotiations aimed at restoring Stormont.
In 2006, two senior Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) detectives observed Donaldson entering a sauna that served as a meeting place for gay men.
The establishment, named Chariots, was located in central London near the Houses of Parliament and security service offices.
Although Chariots is no longer operational, former head of the PSNI's Serious Crime Branch, Tim Hanley, stated he was "100% sure" Donaldson entered the premises.
The other detective corroborated Hanley's account to the BBC.
Retired Detective Chief Superintendent Tim Hanley served in the PSNI and RUC.
"Somebody's sexuality is their own business. But I think it's the whole, if you like, history of the DUP.
"They were opposed to gay marriage, they've always had that angle, that bigotry towards members of the gay community and that's where the shock came from, that there could be such a double standard.
"I found it incredible,"
he said.
In the same year, Donaldson told the Northern Ireland Assembly:
"Judaism, Islam and Christianity all teach that homosexual practice is sinful… it is a sincerely held view by Christians and people of other faiths."
Broadcast Information
The BBC One Northern Ireland programme Spotlight: Politician, Predator & Paedophile will air on Friday 26 June at 21:00 and will also be available on BBC .
- How four weeks in court unravelled 'sinful and deceitful' Jeffrey Donaldson
- Jeffrey Donaldson's life in politics: From DUP leader to convicted child sex abuser
- Donaldson labelled 'depraved' by Poots, as photos removed from Lagan Valley civic centre
