The Government has said it stands ready to work with Gavin Robinson, the interim leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, following the shock resignation of Jeffrey Donaldson, who has been charged with sexual offences “of an historical nature”.
A Government spokesman said on Friday: “We are aware of developments in Northern Ireland, and that Jeffrey Donaldson has stepped down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect. The Government looks forward to working with Gavin Robinson, who has now been appointed as interim leader of his party.”
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said: “We note the appointment of an interim leader of the DUP. We will continue to work with all parties to ensure the full and effective functioning of the Good Friday Agreement institutions.”
While the responses from the Government were low-key a source said on Friday that Mr Donaldson’s resignation had come as a complete surprise and had not been expected by anybody. The source said that the interim leader, Gavin Robinson, was a strong supporter of the work that led to the restoration of the institutions earlier this year.
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Speaking on Friday Mr Robinson said the development had caused a “tremendous shock” for him, for the DUP, and for the community across Northern Ireland.
He described the allegations as a “devastating” development in an interview on Sky News. “We have faith in our criminal justice system, and in the coming days and months we think it is important that none of us say anything or act in any way that would seek to prejudice what is now an ongoing criminal investigation.”
Mr Robinson said he would focus on making the institutions work and ensure that the devolved administration would work for the people of Northern Ireland.
Politicians have been reacting to the departure of Mr Donaldson.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill said her priority was to “provide leadership” and continue the work of the executive. The Sinn Féin Northern leader said: “My priority is to continue to provide the leadership the public expect and deserve, and to ensure the four-party executive coalition delivers for the whole of our community now and in the future. The DUP leader has resigned after being charged with serious offences. This is now a matter for the criminal justice system.”
The Alliance Party said the thoughts and sympathies of the party were “with those who have been victims of any kind of abuse, and for whom these reports are incredibly distressing”.
In a statement Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie said: “The leadership of the DUP is a matter for the DUP. Although the circumstances are of concern and in the public interest, we are mindful that this is now a criminal investigation and it would not be proper to comment further.”
TUV leader Jim Allister said Mr Donaldson’s resignation has “very wide ramifications for unionism”.
“The damage is not limited to his party, but impacts unionism as a whole. Unionism was already divided by the Donaldson deal. This needs to be a cathartic moment for unionism.”
Julian Smith, Northern secretary from 2019 to 2020, said Mr Donaldson’s resignation was a “big shock to everybody”.
He told BBC Radio 4′s World at One: “I’m not concerned in any way that this shocking news today will lead to any change in the momentum behind powersharing, and the stability that has now brought as it was returned a couple of months ago.
“In this leadership role he has played a critical part over the last few months. He led the negotiations with the government, and he worked with his own party to move them from their position of staying out of the executive on the basis that they didn’t agree with the Northern Ireland protocol to returning. ”
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