The DUP, eh? Welcome to your new lizard overlords

[Rob Ray]

Bit of a strong reaction to him going offline tbh.

 

[JimW]

Trending stories sheds a little light. Am I to assume Mrs Donaldson is 57, coincidentally the age of the woman accessory to historic sexual offences?

 

[Rob Ray]

Couldn't possibly say. Though apropos of nothing obv there's a pinned thread in this subforum which we should probably bear in mind.

 

[PR1Berske]

Couldn't possibly say. Though apropos of nothing obv there's a pinned thread in this subforum which we should probably bear in mind.

Yeah, this, basically. Tread with caution.

 

[brogdale]

Bearing in mind all that's been said above, it seems that a big NI political story will break very soon:

 

[cupid_stunt]

It's all a bit of a pickle for the DUP.

 

[Sasaferrato]

On the 12:00 news.

A 61 year old man has been charged with sexual offences, a 57 year old woman has been charged with aiding and abetting sexual offences. They will appear in court next month.

 

[brogdale]

On the 12:00 news.

A 61 year old man has been charged with sexual offences, a 57 year old woman has been charged with aiding and abetting sexual offences. They will appear in court next month.

Unnamed, though?
Until the DUP announce if/why they've met to elect a new leader that's just a random news story, isn't it?

 

[teqniq]

It's all a bit of a pickle for the DUP.

* Sad trumpet noises *

 

[PR1Berske]

 

[PR1Berske]

 

[JimW]

On BBC lunchtime news now.

 

[Sasaferrato]

On BBC lunchtime news now.

Blimey! You get BBC news in far flung Cathay?

 

[cupid_stunt]

Presenter on Sky went a bit further than the DUP's statement, saying his arrest was in respect of allegations of historic sexual offences.

 

[ruffneck23]

Presenter on Sky went a bit further than the DUP's statement, saying his arrest was in respect of allegations of historic sexual offences.

Basically whats being going around on twitter all morning.

 

[krtek a houby]

Presenter on Sky went a bit further than the DUP's statement, saying his arrest was in respect of allegations of historic sexual offences.

Aye, suspended pending the outcome of a judicial process

 

[cupid_stunt]

Basically whats being going around on twitter all morning.

Indeed, I was just surprised when she mentioned 'sexual', the reporter she was interviewing pointed out that legally they should only report what the DUP had announced, and she hasn't mentioned it again.

ETA - no, she's said it again now.

 

[PR1Berske]

I wonder if he might, given the circumstances, resign as an MP?

 

[brogdale]

Wonder if this has the potential to swing DUP factional power balance to the extent that it might threaten Stormont’s continuation?

 

[Yossarian]

Depraved Ulster Paedophiles

 

[brogdale]

Depraved Ulster Paedophiles

Donaldson’s Unionist mentor, Enoch Powell was.

 

[Ax^]

a good Friday in north Ireland at least

 

[brogdale]

a good Friday in north Ireland at least

Yebbut, there's more than a whiff of staging to ensure that this news emerged on a National Holiday with lower than usual media engagement. The DUP's Twitter output that usually looks like 5 to 10 posts a day has been very quiet since last Thursday (21st) with just 1 tweet on the 22nd (about Kate Middleton), 1 on the 24th and 1 on the 26th. Looks suspiciously like the party have known about this for over a week.

 

[Kaka Tim]

was hoping it was revelations about rampant gaiety - with no victims other than Donaldson's reputation - but this actally sounds like it could be pretty grim.

 

[brogdale]

was hoping it was revelations about rampant gaiety - with no victims other than Donaldson's reputation - but this actally sounds like it could be pretty grim.

Yes, the arrest of a spouse as well is rarely a good sign.

 

[Boru]

Its on rte now.. 'allegations of an histroical nature'

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson steps down after allegations

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has stepped down with immediate effect after being charged with "allegations of an historical nature".

www.rte.ie

 

[Ax^]

Yebbut, there's more than a whiff of staging to ensure that this news emerged on a National Holiday with lower than usual media engagement. The DUP's Twitter output that usually looks like 5 to 10 posts a day has been very quiet since last Thursday (21st) with just 1 tweet on the 22nd (about Kate Middleton), 1 on the 24th and 1 on the 26th. Looks suspiciously like the party have known about this for over a week.

id say longer

 

[Lurdan]

Everything we know so far after Co Down couple charged with historical sex offences - Belfast Live (Reach)

This Reach story has been updated more than once. Archived copy of the version updated at 12.53PM 29th March
At the moment it contains:

What are the charges against the couple?
Police have charged one of the accused with more than 10 alleged offences and the other with three. Both are facing allegations of serious historical sexual offences against two children. It is understood both deny all allegations made against them.

The male is facing one charge of rape and has been accused of a number of other sexual offences, including historical gross indecency. His wife is facing a number of charges relating to the alleged offences faced by her husband including aiding and abetting.

What are the bail conditions imposed?
They were subject to strict bail conditions including an order barring them from residing in the same property and from leaving the UK. As agreed by their solicitors, the female accused returned to the former family home in Co Down home on Thursday night and the male is understood to have left Northern Ireland today, Good Friday, but remains in Great Britain.

Why are those charged not being named?
The accused cannot be named at this stage to protect the identity of the alleged victims. this is normal procedure.

 

[starfish]

Dirty Orange Bastards.

 

[cupid_stunt]

Why are those charged not being named?
The accused cannot be named at this stage to protect the identity of the alleged victims. this is normal procedure.

That's why I was surprised Sky had mentioned it, but so have the BBC and various other news outlets, so it's a bit late now.