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| Jeffrey Donaldson: Little-Pengelly 'determined' to ensure political stability | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Emma Little-Pengelly said she was "deeply shocked and devastated" by the allegations | |
| Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has said she is "determined" to ensure political stability in the days ahead. | |
| The DUP representative was reacting to the resignation of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson as DUP leader. | |
| Sir Jeffrey stepped down from the position after he was charged with rape and other historical sexual offences on Thursday. | |
| He has said he will be strenuously contesting the charges. | |
| In a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday, she said she was "deeply shocked and devastated" by the allegations. | |
| Mrs Little-Pengelly became deputy first minister in February after the DUP ended its boycott of power-sharing. | |
| In her statement, she said she would be working closely with Gavin Robinson as interim DUP leader to "continue the work of tackling the big issues faced by Northern Ireland". | |
| She added that her thoughts were with those "who have put their faith" in the criminal justice system. | |
| Her remarks echoed those of Mr Robinson who sent an internal newsletter to all DUP members on Saturday morning. | |
| Gavin Robinson was unanimously appointed as DUP interim leader by the party officers on Friday | Gavin Robinson was unanimously appointed as DUP interim leader by the party officers on Friday |
| In the memo, Mr Robinson said the police service and courts "must be allowed to complete their processes without interference". | |
| "Nothing that any of us say or do, must in anyway compromise that process," he wrote. | "Nothing that any of us say or do, must in anyway compromise that process," he wrote. |
| "There will be some who will attempt to score cheap political points, but I know that colleagues and friends across Northern Ireland will ignore the noise and focus on what really matters." | "There will be some who will attempt to score cheap political points, but I know that colleagues and friends across Northern Ireland will ignore the noise and focus on what really matters." |
| 'Ongoing commentary' | 'Ongoing commentary' |
| The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has issued a statement in reaction to social media commentary following yesterday's resignation of Sir Jeffrey. | The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has issued a statement in reaction to social media commentary following yesterday's resignation of Sir Jeffrey. |
| The PSNI statement does not name the former DUP leader but police say they are "aware of ongoing commentary on social media platforms" following the arrest and charges of a 61-year-old man in relation to non-recent sexual offences. | The PSNI statement does not name the former DUP leader but police say they are "aware of ongoing commentary on social media platforms" following the arrest and charges of a 61-year-old man in relation to non-recent sexual offences. |
| It goes on to remind social media users and news editors that "in investigations of this kind, victims are given complete anonymity by law unless they choose to waive that themselves". | It goes on to remind social media users and news editors that "in investigations of this kind, victims are given complete anonymity by law unless they choose to waive that themselves". |
| "The publication of any information which is likely to lead to the identification of victims is a criminal offence, and can be investigated accordingly," it says. | "The publication of any information which is likely to lead to the identification of victims is a criminal offence, and can be investigated accordingly," it says. |
| Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been charged with rape and other historical sexual offences | Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been charged with rape and other historical sexual offences |
| Mr Robinson went on to say that the DUP is "not about any one individual". | Mr Robinson went on to say that the DUP is "not about any one individual". |
| "We are a party of MPs, MLAs, councillors, and scores of dedicated members across all parts of Northern Ireland. | "We are a party of MPs, MLAs, councillors, and scores of dedicated members across all parts of Northern Ireland. |
| "We exist to build a better and stronger Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom." | "We exist to build a better and stronger Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom." |
| Who is the former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson? | Who is the former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson? |
| Gavin Robinson appointed interim leader of DUP | Gavin Robinson appointed interim leader of DUP |
| The DUP's party officers met on Friday and appointed Mr Robinson as interim leader. | The DUP's party officers met on Friday and appointed Mr Robinson as interim leader. |
| In a statement it said that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson had confirmed that he had been charged with allegations of an historical nature and was stepping down as DUP leader. | |
| The party's officers suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process. | |
| Sir Jeffrey's letter to the DUP said he would be strenuously contesting the charges. | Sir Jeffrey's letter to the DUP said he would be strenuously contesting the charges. |
| A 57-year-old woman has also been charged with aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences. | A 57-year-old woman has also been charged with aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences. |
| They were both arrested on Thursday morning by PSNI detectives and were questioned before being charged on Thursday night. | They were both arrested on Thursday morning by PSNI detectives and were questioned before being charged on Thursday night. |
| He and the 57-year-old woman are due to appear in court next month. | He and the 57-year-old woman are due to appear in court next month. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland |
| DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) | DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) |
| Sir Jeffrey Donaldson | Sir Jeffrey Donaldson |