Jeffrey Donaldson investigated over alleged rape in Parliament in 2016
The Metropolitan Police says it is investigating a 2016 rape allegation referred by Northern Ireland police. The BBC and Mirror identify the man as the former DUP leader; no arrest has been made.
Former Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson is being investigated by London police over an allegation that he raped a woman inside the Houses of Parliament in 2016, the BBC and Mirror reported on 21 October 2026. The Metropolitan Police confirmed an investigation into an allegation from that year but did not name the man involved; it said no arrest had been made.
The Met said it received the report from the Police Service of Northern Ireland on 13 October. It described the man as now aged 63 and said one woman was being supported by specialist officers. Enquiries are ongoing and the investigation is in its early stages, the force said.
How the Parliament allegation reached London police
According to the BBC, officers in Northern Ireland interviewed the woman and passed her account to the Met because the alleged incident took place in London. The reported location places the allegation within Parliament, but police have released no further account of the alleged rape. The allegation remains under investigation.
The BBC said the woman had previously alleged that Donaldson sexually assaulted her in the DUP offices at Parliament in 2016. The Belfast Telegraph reported that earlier allegation in July, according to the BBC. Her allegation of rape is a further claim about that year, rather than one of the offences for which Donaldson has already been convicted.
Donaldson’s convictions and appeal
Donaldson was sentenced earlier in October to 15 years in prison for historical sexual offences against two women when they were children. The Mirror reported that he was convicted of 18 offences, including rape, indecent assault and gross indecency, committed between 1985 and 2008. Those convictions concern an earlier period than the allegation now being investigated in London.
Donaldson is seeking to appeal those convictions, the BBC reported. The Evening Standard said his solicitor had previously confirmed that appeal papers were lodged. The appeal concerns the existing convictions; the Met’s 2016 investigation is at an early stage, with no arrest announced.
Donaldson’s earlier sentencing was covered in NewsJaws’ report on his 15-year prison term. The newly disclosed police investigation concerns a separate allegation. The Met has confirmed only that enquiries are continuing; it has not announced an interview with Donaldson.
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Sources and context
- Jeffrey Donaldson to be interviewed over alleged rape inside Houses of ParliamentBBC News
- Ex-DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson investigated over alleged rape inside ParliamentThe Mirror
- Ex DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson to be interviewed by Met over ‘rape in Parliament’Evening Standard (credits BBC as first report)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.