Allister calls on EX-DUP leader to quit as an MP for by-election

Donaldson’s days of representing Lagan Valley are over and people deserve better: TUV boss

JIM Allister is calling on Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to step down from Parliament and enable a Westminster by-election as Lagan Valley “deserves better than an absentee MP”.

People Before Profit also urged Sir Jeffrey to quit his parliamentary role, but Alliance, Sinn Fein, the SDLP and the Ulster Unionists declined to do so.

It is understood the DUP informed the House of Commons authorities that their former leader won’t be entering the parliamentary estate while facing charges of rape, gross indecency and indecent assault.

Mr Allister said: “With Lagan Valley facing months of no voice and no representation in the House of Commons, Jeffrey Donaldson should resign and allow a by-election. His days of representing Lagan Valley are clearly over. So he should do the right thing and step aside to facilitate a by-election.”

Sir Jeffrey, who has been the constituency’s MP for 27 years, was elected to the Assembly in 2022 but didn’t take his seat in Stormont, with Emma Little-pengelly co-opted in his place.

Mr Allister said: “This constituency already has the ignominy of having an unelected MLA, following Jeffrey Donaldson’s refusal to serve Lagan Valley in Stormont, despite standing for election for that purpose.

“Now, it has no voice in Parliament. That is not good enough nor reflective of the interests of the people of Lagan Valley. A by-election is now required.”

The Belfast Telegraph asked all the other Stormont parties to see if they shared that view.

Alliance’s Sorcha Eastwood was runner-up in Lagan Valley at the last general election and would be the DUP’S main rival for the seat. However, her party declined to call for Sir Jeffrey to step aside.

Alliance said: “As there is a live investigation, we will not be commenting any further.”

A Sinn Fein spokesperson said: “It would be inappropriate for Sinn Fein to say anything which may prejudice the outcome of ongoing serious criminal proceedings.”

An Ulster Unionist spokesperson said: “Whether the MP for Lagan Valley chooses to resign his seat is a matter for him.

“The UUP has an excellent candidate for Lagan Valley in Robbie Butler, and are ready for an election whenever called.

“Anyone who cannot see the ongoing shift of pro-union support in Lagan Valley underestimates Robbie Butler’s reach, commitment, likability and experience.”

The SDLP declined to comment on whether Sir Jeffrey should resign his seat.

A People Before Profit spokesperson said: “Jeffrey Donaldson’s position is clearly untenable given the severity of the allegations against him. We know how difficult it can be for victims to speak out and to obtain justice. Our party always takes a victim-led approach to these issues.”

Interim DUP leader Gavin Robinson told BBC Radio Ulster’s Talkback last week that he didn’t know if his former colleague would step down as MP.

Sir Jeffrey stepped down as DUP leader last month. He was suspended from the party and is currently listed as an independent MP.

The former DUP leader denies 11 sexual crime charges dating back decades.

He is charged with a single count of rape, a single count of gross indecency, and nine counts of indecent assault.