Jeffrey Donaldson seeks knighthood renunciation after child sex conviction

Jeffrey Donaldson has asked for his knighthood to be renounced after being convicted at Newry Crown Court of 18 historic child sex offences, including rape. His solicitor sent a signed letter to the Cabinet Office seeking both renunciation and forfeiture, while Donaldson also tendered his resignation from the UK Privy Council with immediate effect. Appointments to the Privy Council are for life, but members may resign or be removed.

The former leader of Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party was found guilty on June 22 after a jury trial of one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency. The offences took place between 1985 and 2008 and involved two women when they were children. Donaldson, who was 63 at the time of conviction, had denied the charges. The jury deliberated for several days before returning guilty verdicts on all 18 counts.

Donaldson had been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2016 for political services. Judge Paul Ramsey said a lengthy custodial sentence was inevitable, and sentencing was listed for September 25, 2026. Donaldson was also one of the best-known figures in Northern Irish politics and, at the time of his arrest in 2024, the longest-serving lawmaker from Northern Ireland in the British parliament.

Cabinet Office guidance allows honors to be taken away when a recipient has done something that damages the honors system’s reputation. The Honours Forfeiture Committee can consider cases after a criminal conviction and prison sentence of more than three months. The committee can recommend forfeiture to the prime minister and the King, and the rules allow action even when the conduct predates the award.

After the conviction, the Democratic Unionist Party said “justice has been done” and praised the bravery and courage of the complainants who came forward. Other Northern Irish parties also called for the process of stripping Donaldson of the honor to begin.