The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has said child safeguarding expert Jim Gamble’s review into Jeffrey Donaldson’s time as a member of the party will be “robust”.
Donaldson was convicted of 18 counts of sex abuse last month, including one count of rape, committed against two women when they were children.
Gamble, who formerly headed up the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre, has been commissioned to lead the review for the DUP.
Robinson said Gamble had “impeccable and unquestionable credentials in the safeguarding sphere”.
He also defended appointing Gamble to lead the review, in the face of some criticism.
The Northern Ireland Survivor Council had expressed “serious concern” about Gamble’s involvement because his company is also undertaking a review into the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
But Robinson said: “I have no questions about [Gamble’s] independence or capacity to do this review and I’m pleased that he is doing so.”
The DUP said Gamble, as part of the iNEQE Safeguarding Group, would conduct an Independent Focused Safeguarding Review for the party into Donaldson’s time as a member of the party.
A BBC Spotlight investigation has revealed that two senior DUP members were made aware of different allegations against Donaldson five years ago, when a young woman said she had been “exploited” by him.
Earlier this year, Gamble was appointed to carry out an external review of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s governance and safeguarding arrangements.
Earlier this month, the Northern Ireland Survivor Council said: ” It is reasonable to question whether one organisation can independently and robustly conduct both reviews at the same time.”
They called on the DUP to commission a “different” safeguarding organisation to undertake the review.
Gavin Robinson said that he is taking the review into Jeffrey Donaldson’s time as a member “seriously”.
Robinson told Good Morning Ulster: “I have engaged the UK’s foremost expert, I have no questions about his independence or capacity to do this review.
“This is to satisfy not only myself but in time the general public about what occurred within our party, what was known what could have been known and whether our safeguarding policies and procedures in place are correct or if they need to change.”
Child safety expert to lead review into DUP and Jeffrey Donaldson
Jim Gamble appointed to Presbyterian Church review
A gay sauna visit and an ‘exploited’ young woman – the double life of Jeffrey Donaldson