The Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons has described allegations that Jeffrey Donaldson raped a woman inside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster as “highly concerning”.
The intervention comes following an urgent question by Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood late on Wednesday evening.
Yesterday the Metropolitan Police confirmed for the first time they are investigating convicted paedophile Donaldson for a rape, which was allegedly carried out in his Westminster offices.
Donaldson who is currently serving a lengthy prison sentence in Maghaberry for 18 counts of child sex abuse, including the rape of a child, has yet to be questioned about the additional allegations that were made to the PSNI earlier this year.
Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson at his sentencing © Elizabeth Cook/Press Association
The allegation - first reported by the Belfast Telegraph - involves a woman from Northern Ireland who was working in England at the time and says she was abused by the then MP while on a tour of the House of Commons.
Raising the matter in the Commons, Ms Eastwood said: “This House may be aware of alarming press reports that Jeffrey Donaldson, a former member of this House and my predecessor in Lagan Valley, is under police investigation over allegations of rape within these Houses of Parliament.
“This follows his sentencing last week to 15 years for 18 charges of non-recent child sexual abuse crimes including the rape of a child under the age of 13.
“Clearly madam Deputy Speaker this is a live police investigation and I would not wish to prejudice it. However, I know that former and current members of staff on this estate may be deeply affected by these reports.
“What advice can the chair give on how we can support those who are distressed by this news and on how we can encourage anyone with concerns to come forward?”
In response, Deputy Speaker Nusrat Ghani told the Commons they were “highly concerning allegations for all in the parliamentary community”.
Sorcha Eastwood from the Alliance party Photo credit: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire © PA
“The Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service can advise and assist on the range of support available for anyone affected by these reports, and there are established mechanisms for anyone with concerns wishing to come forward, while, of course, any criminal allegations should be made to the appropriate authorities.”
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for the Met said: “On Tuesday, 13 October, the Met received a report, referred to us by Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), relating to an allegation of rape in 2016, by a man now aged 63.
“The allegation relates to one victim who is being supported by specialist officers.
“The investigation is in its early stages. No arrests have been made and enquiries remain ongoing.”