The PSNI had ‘intelligence’ about Donaldson’s abuse before the victim was named

“That information would have been what we would call information indicating that Jeffrey Donaldson was accused of sexual assault,” he said.

“We have a well-known politician who can reach out to vulnerable adults and reach out to young people as a constituency member of parliament.

“Certainly it should have gone to the chief constable, and the chief constable has a duty to inform the government if he decides there may be a national security threat to the loss of the DPP leadership.”

Complainant A and Complainant B later named Donaldson as their abuser in a further meeting with the police in March 2024.

Spotlight asked the DCI and PSNI who attended the meeting whether they had any information about Donaldson before then and, if so, what had been done to assess Donaldson.

In a statement to Spotlight, the PSNI said: “The Police Service of Northern Ireland has conducted a thorough investigation into recent allegations of sexual assault.

“We will not comment as legal proceedings are ongoing.”

Reports of child sexual abuse between 1985 and 2008 found Donaldson guilty of 18 counts of sexual assault, including one count of rape.

He is now in prison and will be sentenced at the end of this year.

Donaldson’s wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson; He faced a reality check. On mental health grounds, that is, the jury was asked to determine whether she did or did not commit the act of which she was charged.

She pleaded guilty to all five charges – including four counts of aiding and abetting her husband’s crime.