Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Jon Burrows MLA, has written to the Prime Minister calling on him to establish a full independent inquiry into Jeffrey Donaldson.

Mr Burrows said: “The conviction of Jeffrey Donaldson has exposed one of the most serious breaches of trust in public life in Northern Ireland. Donaldson is a paedophile and a career fraud.

“The courage shown by his victims in coming forward, ensuring the criminal justice processes and securing his conviction deserves our profound gratitude and respect. They have performed an immense public service.

“Donaldson held some of the highest offices in our democracy. He served as an MP, an MLA, a Government Trade Envoy, a Privy Counsellor and was awarded a knighthood.

“After Donaldson’s conviction, I called upon the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State to establish a fully independent inquiry with the powers necessary to examine any relevant information held by police services, the security and intelligence agencies, government departments and political parties.

“Only such an inquiry can establish the facts and follow the evidence wherever it leads. It could identify whether there were failures in safeguarding, vetting, information sharing or national security and ensure that every lesson is learned. Only an inquiry with the authority to examine all relevant information across government and public bodies can provide the answers that victims and the wider public deserve. Crucially, it should also provide a mechanism for any victims or individuals with relevant information to come forward.

“The PSNI, in my view, jointly with the Metropolitan Police Service, should also make an appeal for other potential victims to Donaldson to come forward.

“Recent reporting concerning allegations of sexual offending in Westminster, together with contested accounts of what was known about Donaldson by the most senior politicians in Northern Ireland, only serves to reinforce the need for an inquiry that is national in scope.

“These issues extend far beyond the boundaries of any one political party. They raise wider questions about safeguarding, institutional culture, accountability and the effectiveness of the systems designed to protect the public.

“Regrettably, the Government has yet to respond to these calls.

“That is deeply disappointing.

“The Government should now act without further delay. A fully independent inquiry, with the necessary powers and access to all relevant information, is required to establish the truth, identify any institutional failings and ensure every lesson is learned.”