25/06/2026
Donaldson Moves To Surrender Honours Following Conviction
Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has requested that his British knighthood be formally renounced and has stepped down from the Privy Council following his conviction on multiple sexual offences.
The decisions were confirmed through a statement released by his solicitor, John McBurney, who said formal correspondence had been sent to the relevant authorities on Donaldson's behalf.
According to the statement, requests were submitted to the Cabinet Office seeking the forfeiture of Donaldson's knighthood, while a separate letter was sent to the Privy Council office confirming his resignation with immediate effect.
The developments follow Donaldson's conviction earlier this week on 18 sexual offence charges, including rape. The offences involved two women and occurred when they were children.
Following the verdict on Monday, Donaldson was taken into custody and remanded to Maghaberry Prison in County Antrim. He is expected to return to court for sentencing in the autumn.
The decisions were confirmed through a statement released by his solicitor, John McBurney, who said formal correspondence had been sent to the relevant authorities on Donaldson's behalf.
The developments follow Donaldson's conviction earlier this week on 18 sexual offence charges, including rape. The offences involved two women and occurred when they were children.
Following the verdict on Monday, Donaldson was taken into custody and remanded to Maghaberry Prison in County Antrim. He is expected to return to court for sentencing in the autumn.
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