Jeffrey Donaldson’s conviction exposes the danger of confusing charisma with Christian character
By 
David Smyth2026-06-26T12:39:00
The former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of historical sex offences in a trial that has shaken Northern Ireland to its core. A professing Christian and prominent public figure, his crimes demand a serious response from the Church, says David Smyth
This week, my former MP Jeffrey Donaldson was found guilty of 18 historical sex offences, committed against two women when they were children. He is currently in prison awaiting sentencing. His wife was found to have aided and abetted him in committing these acts.
It’s hard to overstate the impact of this case in Northern Ireland. Donaldson was a knight of the realm, a member of the Monarch’s Privy Council and an MP for over 25 years.
Until news broke on Good Friday 2024, he was leader of the biggest Unionist party and a daily fixture on radio and news streams. He is also a professing Christian who always wore an Ichthus fish pin on his suit lapel. He regularly shared his testimony in churches and was even interviewed by Premier Christianity in 2021.
Northern Ireland is really small, both in geography and population, and also the networks of relationships within politics and the church. As you may already know from your Northern Irish friends, it’s the kind of place where everyone knows everyone else, or at least their granny.
And so, for lots of people, this case feels very close to home. Many of us are still trying to process what has happened. For now, here are a few initial thoughts.
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