Gavin Robinson has been appointed interim party leader
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is stepping down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party "with immediate effect" after the DUP said he had been charged with allegations of a historical nature.
The party said it had received a letter from Sir Jeffrey stating that he had been charged with allegations of a historical nature and that he would be stepping down as leader.In a statement, the DUP said: "In accordance with the party rules, the party officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.
The shock announcement comes just weeks after Sir Jeffrey made the decision to bring the party back to powersharing in Northern Ireland. After protracted negotiations, the DUP agreed to return to Stormont in February following the agreement of a new deal and a series assurances around Northern Ireland's constitutional position within the United Kingdom.His career started with the Ulster Unionist Party and in 1985, aged 22, he was the youngest person to be elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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