Police investigate 2016 rape allegation against Donaldson

Police are investigating a 2016 rape allegation against former Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson, the Metropolitan Police said. The allegation has not been proven, and no arrest has been made. The force said it received a report on October 13 from the Police Service of Northern Ireland concerning an alleged rape in 2016 by a man now aged 63. Police said one victim is being supported by specialist officers and the investigation is in its early stages, with inquiries ongoing. The woman had been interviewed by PSNI officers before her claims were referred to the Metropolitan Police, according to reporting on the investigation. The alleged incident was reported to have taken place in the Houses of Parliament. The police statement did not identify Donaldson or provide further details about the allegation. The new investigation follows Donaldson’s conviction for 18 offences against two women when they were children. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison for offences committed between 1985 and 2008, including one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency. He is seeking to appeal his convictions. A separate allegation concerning...