Leader of Northern Ireland’s main unionist party steps down as he is charged with sexual offenses

By DANICA KIRKA
Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — Northern Ireland’s finely balanced power-sharing arrangements have been thrown into disarray as the leader of the region’s largest unionist party stepped down after being charged with historical sexual offenses. Jeffrey Donaldson informed the Democratic Unionist Party that was leaving his post due to the investigation. He has been suspended from the party pending the outcome of the judicial process, the DUP said in a statement. Donaldson, who has led the DUP since 2021, is the most powerful figure in Northern Ireland’s unionist movement, which seeks to maintain the region’s historic ties to the United Kingdom.