By Lesley Walsh
NORTH Down MP Alex Easton has condemned former DUP leader Sir Jeffery Donaldson following the outcome of his sex abuse trial which sent him to prison as a child rapist.
Mr Easton was scathing about the fallen former political heavyweight, stating the ‘maximum sentence possible’ was ’not enough’ punishment for the newly convicted paedophile.
The Independent MP and former DUP man, praised Donaldson’s brave victims, when he said: “I left the DUP because of this individual and my thoughts go out to the victims and their bravery.
“I hope he gets the maximum sentence possible and even that is not enough.”
Mr Easton spoke from Westminster the day after Donaldson was found guilty after a trial at Newry Crown Court.
Speaking to the Spectator he said: “The main thing is the victims, and my thoughts and prayers go out to them. They have been re-traumatised by having to go through this and I think we need to be thinking of them.
“I certainly hope that when it comes to sentencing, that the full, maximum sentence is going to be made on this individual.
“For someone who had been in such a position of trust, he has completely let everyone down. There’s no room in our society for people who abuse children; it’s so morally wrong.
“We need to support the victims and he needs to be held accountable,” he said.
Mr Easton’s ire towards Donaldson led to his resignation from the DUP in 2021, when he said he had been ‘at the end of his tether’ over the disgraced politician’s manoeuvring for the leadership of the party following Arlene Foster’s departure from the top spot.
“When he was becoming the leader it was one of the reasons I left,” he recalled, following 21 years within the DUP.
Mr Easton left the DUP just hours after Donaldson became the leader in 2021, when he said Donaldson had made a ‘half hearted’ attempt to convince him to return.
He said the disgraced politician made it clear the DUP would field two candidates to run against him in the Assembly election and if he ‘dared’ to stand for Westminster the party would field a high profile candidate.
“I felt that was a threat at the time and if anything that reaffirmed my decision to leave,” he told reporters some time after his resignation.
“I didn’t get a chance to explain the reasons why I left and I didn’t feel valued and part of the team and was just rolled out at elections.”
North Down MLA Connie Egan has also spoken out in praise of Donaldson’s victims.
The local politician, who has campaigned at Stormont for an end to violence against women and girls, said: “I wish to pay tribute to the victims in this case. They showed bravery in the face of the horrifying abuse they suffered, and reported it all despite knowing they would face an intense media glare.
“It is important that their lifelong anonymity remains.
“I hope today’s verdict brings some form of closure for them and their loved ones, as well as for anyone who has suffered sexual abuse. Victims of sexual abuse must be heard, believed and supported.
“This verdict sends a clear message that no one is above the law. Anyone who has been subject to sexual abuse can contact the 24-hour domestic and sexual abuse for help and support. The helpline can be contacted at 0808 802 1414 or info@dsahelpline.org.”
