Jeffrey Donaldson stripped of knighthood following sex abuse convictions

Jeffrey Donaldson had his knighthood revoked by the King after being convicted of 18 counts of sex abuse against two children. The decision followed his request for forfeiture and was confirmed in an official Gazette notice.

By Emma McCann1 min read

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Official parliamentary portrait of Jeffrey Donaldson — Jeffrey Donaldson in his official parliamentary portrait. This is a file photograph, not an image from court proceedings. Picture: Chris McAndrew / UK Parliament, CC BY 3.0.

Jeffrey Donaldson was convicted on 22 June of 18 counts of sex abuse, including one count of rape, committed against two women when they were children. He had served as an MP from 1997 until 2024 and was previously the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party.

The King directed the cancellation of Donaldson's knighthood, which had been conferred on 11 June 2016 in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. The Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood published the notice in the Gazette.

Donaldson had previously asked to be removed from the Privy Council and to have his knighthood forfeited after his conviction. His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, was found guilty on all five charges related to aiding and abetting his offending.