Met police to interview Jeffrey Donaldson over alleged rape in parliament
The Guardian reported on 21 October that the Metropolitan Police is investigating after a referral from the PSNI about an allegation that former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson raped a woman in 2016. The BBC reported that the Met issued a statement confirming a 63-year-old man will be interviewed over an alleged rape inside the Houses of Parliament. The Met did not name the man in its statement. The BBC’s headline named Mr Donaldson. Neither outlet reports a charge. No response from Mr Donaldson appears in the reports.
The case combines a Northern Ireland referral with an alleged offence in a Westminster building, so two police forces and Parliament’s workplace are involved. An interview is an early step and does not decide guilt.
The reports concern one allegation and one interview, with no charge, so there is little to act on beyond following the Met’s statements. The allegation is unproven.
Those who stress accountability point to the Met’s confirmation that an interview will happen and to the fact that a referral came from another police service. They see that as the process working.
Those who stress fairness note that nobody has been charged and that Mr Donaldson’s response is not in the reports. The Met itself did not name the man in its statement.
Confirmed: an investigation, a PSNI referral and a planned interview of a 63-year-old man. Not confirmed: any charge or the outcome. Watch for the Met’s next statement.
DailyDrop U.K. edition No. 18 · Morning · THU., OCT. 22, 2026