Jailed former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson being investigated over alleged rape inside Parliament
- Published
Jailed former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Jeffrey Donaldson is being investigated by London police about an alleged rape of a woman inside the Houses of Parliament, the BBC can reveal.
The disgraced former MP has been accused of raping the woman in Parliament in 2016, at the very heart of the political establishment.
Last week Donaldson was sentenced to 15 years in prison for a series of child sex offences against two victims, including one count of rape, which took place between 1985 and 2008. He is seeking to appeal against his convictions.
It is understood the woman has been interviewed by Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers.
The PSNI has now shared her claims with the Metropolitan Police, as the alleged incident happened in London.
While not naming the former DUP leader, the Met has issued a statement confirming a 63-year-old man is being investigated.
It said: "On Tuesday 13 October, the Met received a report referred to us by the Police Service of Northern Ireland relating to an allegation of rape in 2016, by a man now aged 63.
"The allegation relates to one victim who is being supported by specialist officers.
"The investigation is in its early stages. No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing."
In July, the Belfast Telegraph first reported that a woman from Northern Ireland alleged she had been sexually assaulted by Donaldson in the DUP offices at Parliament in 2016.
She claimed that he attempted to get her to drink vodka shots in his office, before trying to kiss her and put his hand up her skirt.
On Saturday, the newspaper further reported that the Met was set to investigate and interview Donaldson about these accusations.
But in response to BBC questions it has now emerged the same woman has also alleged Donaldson raped her.
Concerns about the ex-DUP MP's behaviour in London was raised in a BBC NI Spotlight film, earlier this year.
A former senior PSNI detective told the programme he had seen Donaldson drunk in the Houses of Parliament.
Two other former senior PSNI detectives also reported seeing him going into a gay sauna not far from Parliament in 2006, the same year in which Donaldson described homosexuality as "sinful".