Review of Alleged Abuse or Inappropriate Behaviour Associated with Jeffrey Donaldson in Parliament Buildings

Donaldson Review

Following the conviction of Jeffrey Donaldson with rape, indecent assault and gross indecency against two women when they were children, and the fact that JeffreyDonaldson was a Member of the Assembly from 2003 to 2010 and a visitor to Parliament Buildings as an MP, on 29 June the Speaker asked the Clerk/Chief Executive of the Assembly to conduct a Review.

The Speaker’s remarks can be found here.

The Clerk/Chief Executive has now considered the Speaker’s request and put in place arrangements to conduct a Review of any abuse or inappropriate behaviour by Jeffrey Donaldson during the periods above. The Review will be conducted by the Director of Parliamentary Services (Senior Assembly Safeguarding Officer), guided by experts in trauma-informed practices, and reported directly to the Clerk/Chief Executive. 

The purpose of the Review is to enable any Member or former Member, current or former Assembly or party staff, or other user of Parliament Buildings to bring forward, in a safe and supported manner, any incidents of abuse or inappropriate behaviour they directly experienced while Jeffrey Donaldson was a Member of the Assembly or visitor to Parliament Buildings.

If any Member or official, or other user of Parliament Buildings, past or present has directly experienced abuse or inappropriate behaviour by Jeffrey Donaldson, they should report this to either the PSNI or the Review at donaldsonreview@niassembly.gov.uk

The Review will be carried out promptly, from 10 July - 21 August for any concerns to be raised, with a Report provided to the Clerk / Chief Executive by 28 August.

All information received in the course of this Review will be processed in accordance with the Assembly Commission's legal obligations relating to data protection, confidentiality, records management and information governance.

 

Terms of Reference

The review should:

  1. Establish if the Assembly Commission holds any relevant information on abuse or inappropriate behaviour while Jeffrey Donaldson was a Member of the Assembly from 2003 to 2010, or while he was a visitor to Parliament Buildings as an MP.
  1. Communicate and provide an appropriate process to enable any Member or former Member, current or former Assembly or party staff, or other user of Parliament Buildings to bring forward any incidents of abuse or inappropriate behaviour they directly experienced while Jeffrey Donaldson was a Member of the Assembly from 2003 to 2010 or a visitor to Parliament Buildings as an MP.
  1. Inform Members or former Members, current or former Assembly or party staff, or other user of Parliament Buildings of the support service available for anyone who reports having been subject to abuse or inappropriate behaviour by Jeffrey Donaldson.
  1. Draw to the Clerk/Chief Executive’s attention any matters that may require further appropriate investigation or referral to the PSNI or other statutory agencies.
  1. Indicate whether any of the issues considered have implications for any Assembly Commission policies or procedures.
  1. Consider the extent to which the review findings or a summary thereof can be published.

  

Please see more information below:

1. What is the purpose of the Review and what will it examine?

The Assembly’s Clerk / Chief Executive has put in place arrangements to conduct a Review of any abuse or inappropriate behaviour by Jeffrey Donaldson between 2003-10, when he was an MLA. Its purpose is to enable any Member or former Member, current or former Assembly or party staff, or other user of Parliament Buildings to bring forward, in a safe and supported manner, any incidents of abuse or inappropriate behaviour they directly experienced while Jeffrey Donaldson was a Member or visitor to Parliament Buildings.

 

2. Who is leading the Review and how will it be carried out?

The Review will be conducted by the Assembly’s Director of Parliamentary Services  (Senior Assembly Safeguarding Officer), guided by experts in trauma-informed practices.

 

3. What are the timings of this Review?

The Review will be carried out between 10 July - 21 August so that any concerns can be raised. A report will be provided to the Clerk / Chief Executive by 28 August.

 

4. Who will oversee the Review, what expertise will the team have, and will any independent or external specialists be involved?

The Review will be conducted by the Director of Parliamentary Services (Senior Assembly Safeguarding Officer), guided by experts in trauma-informed practices, who will report directly to the Clerk / Chief Executive.

 

5. What safeguarding, trauma-informed training or qualifications will those involved in the Review possess, including any external safeguarding support?

Those involved in the Review process have received training on safeguarding and trauma. An external safeguarding / trauma support service is also in place for those affected by the issues considered by the Review.

 

6. Who can provide information to the review?

If any Member or official, or other user of Parliament Buildings, past or present has directly experienced abuse or inappropriate behaviour by Jeffrey Donaldson when he was a Member of the Assembly from 2003 to 2010 or a visitor to Parliament Buildings during his time as an MP, they should report this to either the PSNI or the Review. (Make a report to PSNI by calling 101 or emailing: https://www.psni.police.uk/report  or the Review at:donaldsonreview@niassembly.gov.uk)

 

7. How can I share information with the Review?

Anyone wishing to raise any concerns about abuse or inappropriate behaviour they directly experienced should contact donaldsonreview@niassembly.gov.uk

 

8. How will the Assembly support and protect people who come forward?

We recognise that some individuals may find it difficult to speak about past experiences or concerns.We will provide a supportive, respectful and confidential process for anyone who wishes to share information with the review.

 

9. How will sensitive information be handled?

All information shared with the review will be handled securely and confidentially and processed in accordance with the Assembly Commission's legal obligations relating to data protection, confidentiality, records management and information governance. Access will be strictly restricted to those directly involved in the review process.

 

10. What will happen if information raises safeguarding concerns or suggests criminal activity?

This review is not a criminal investigation, but it will not ignore information suggesting potential criminality. Any such information will be handled in accordance with the Assembly Commission's legal and safeguarding obligations and may be referred to the appropriate authorities where necessary.

 

11. How will the Review interact with the PSNI, Westminster or other relevant organisations?

As requested by the Speaker, this Review will cover the period when Jeffrey Donaldson was a Member of the Assembly from 2003 to 2010 or a visitor to Parliament Buildings during his time as an MP. The Speaker has, separately, written to the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Speaker of the House of Commons on this matter.

 

12. How will information relating to activities outside the Review's timeframe, scope or location, or concerning other individuals, be handled?

All information shared with the review will be handled securely and confidentially and processed in accordance with the Assembly Commission's legal obligations relating to data protection, confidentiality, records management and information governance. Access will be strictly restricted to those directly involved in the review process. 

 

13. Will the findings of the Review be published or disclosable under FOI?

The Clerk/Chief Executive will consider the extent to which the review findings or a summary thereof can be published. As these are sensitive matters which may involve the experiences of individuals, the personal information of individuals will be appropriately protected.

 

14. How is the Assembly helping to ensure Parliament Buildings is a safe environment today?

The Assembly has safeguarding arrangements, policies, reporting mechanisms and workplace practices in place to help ensure Parliament Buildings is a safe and respectful environment for everyone who works in, visits or engages with the Assembly.