A disgraced former MP and party leader has been accused of raping a woman in the Houses of Parliament.
Jeffrey Donaldson, who once led the Democratic Unionist Party, is to be interviewed by the Metropolitan Police about the alleged rape in Westminster in 2016.
It is understood the woman has been interviewed by officers in Northern Ireland and her claims have been passed to the Met Police.
The force said: ‘On Tuesday 13 October, the Met received a report referred to us by the Police Service of Northern Ireland 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 are ongoing.’
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In July, the Belfast Telegraph first reported that a woman alleged she had been sexually assaulted by Donaldson in the DUP offices in Parliament in 2016.
She claimed that he attempted to get her to drink vodka shots in his office, before trying to kiss her and put his hand up her skirt.
It has now emerged that the same woman has also alleged the once senior DUP figure raped her.
Last week Donaldson was sentenced to 15 years in prison for a series of child sex offences against two victims, including one count of rape, which took place between 1985 and 2008.
He is seeking to appeal the convictions.
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