The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has said "justice has been done" following the conviction of its former leader, Jeffrey Donaldson, and praised the "bravery and courage" of those who came forward to report abuse.

In a statement issued on Monday, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the party had acted "decisively" after Donaldson was charged with historic sexual abuse offences in March 2024 and noted that he is no longer a member of the party.

The party said it had placed its faith in the criminal justice system and welcomed the jury's verdicts.

The DUP acknowledged the impact the allegations, court proceedings and the process of giving evidence had on those involved. It also commended the victims for coming forward, expressing hope that the outcome of the case would encourage other victims of abuse to report offences to police and pursue justice through the courts.

The statement said the party hoped the victims would now be able to rebuild their lives and said Donaldson should "feel the full force of the law" as a consequence of his actions.

The DUP further said Donaldson had betrayed the trust placed in him by colleagues, party members and the wider community.

It added that the case demonstrated that no one is above the law, regardless of position or status, and described child abuse and the exploitation of vulnerable people as "evil".

Concluding the statement, the party said perpetrators cannot evade justice indefinitely and reiterated its support for the victims.

Donaldson resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party in March 2024 after being charged with a number of historic sexual offences. He was subsequently convicted following a trial at Newry Crown Court.