The Northern Ireland Civil Service carried out a confidential scoping review after inviting staff to report any abuse or inappropriate behaviour linked to Jeffrey Donaldson. The review found "no information or disclosure relevant to the defined scope" and located "no relevant NICS-held records," while stressing that absence of evidence does not prove no issue existed. Donaldson, a former DUP leader and ex-MP for Lagan Valley, was convicted in June on 18 counts of sexual abuse, including rape, and is appealing. Several other independent reviews by the DUP, the Assembly and the UUP are continuing.
NICS Scoping Review Finds No Relevant Information About Jeffrey Donaldson's Stormont Tenure — Caveats Remain
Jeffrey Donaldson was convicted of 18 counts of sex abuse in June [PA Media]
A limited scoping review carried out by the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) has concluded it found "no relevant information" relating to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Donaldson from his time as a junior minister at Stormont. The exercise sought disclosures from current and former staff via a confidential route established by the NICS.
Scope and Process
Jayne Brady, head of the NICS, commissioned the review and invited staff who might have experienced abuse or inappropriate behaviour to come forward. Arrangements were put in place so anyone wishing to share information could do so "safely, confidentially and with appropriate support." The review covered Donaldson's period as junior minister in the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister from February 2008 until July 2009.
Findings
The report states that "no information or disclosure relevant to the defined scope of the exercise was received through the confidential route" and that a search of NICS records returned "no relevant NICS-held records." It added that no issues were identified that required statutory referral, further internal investigation, additional support action, or referral to a separate process.
The review cautioned that the absence of records or disclosures "cannot establish that no relevant issue ever existed."
Context And Ongoing Inquiries
Jeffrey Donaldson, a former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and ex-MP for Lagan Valley, was convicted in June on 18 counts of sexual abuse, including one count of rape. The offences relate to two women who were children when the abuse occurred. Donaldson is currently seeking to appeal the convictions.
The NICS scoping review is one of several inquiries launched following the conviction. The DUP has commissioned an independent review led by child-safety expert and former senior police officer Jim Gamble. A separate Northern Ireland Assembly review reported earlier this month that it also found "no relevant information" that warranted further investigation, and the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has opened an independent safeguarding review into Donaldson's conduct during his long membership of the party.
Speaking to the Stormont Executive Office committee, Jayne Brady said the report was "fully delivered within the terms of reference that were defined." The outcome leaves several parallel reviews ongoing and reiterates the limited nature of the NICS scoping exercise.
Support Note: Anyone affected by the issues discussed in this report is encouraged to seek support from appropriate services; the NICS emphasized that confidential routes and support had been made available during the review.
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