The BelTel

Two decades ago, a senior PSNI detective who had come from MI5 headquarters in London saw something he couldn’t believe – DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson entering a gay sauna.That story, which was revealed last week, has fed into speculation around what the police and intelligence services knew about Jeffrey Donaldson’s behaviour. It has now become clear that police were aware of the far more serious accusations of pedophilia against the former DUP leader before he led the DUP back to Stormont in January 2024 – just months before he was charged with historical sex offences.Belfast Telegraph Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride joins Olivia Peden.

Jeffrey Donaldson was an “unmitigated liar” and was living a double life while working in Westminster – according to former DUP MLA Jim Wells. In the days following Jeffrey Donaldson’s guilty verdict for child sex offences, more information has arisen about the disgraced MPs personal life – including affairs, the use of gay saunas, and drinking to excess. Former MLA and DUP member Jim Wells joined Olivia Peden. 

Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots has performed a massive U-turn on a strange decision which has caused unusual controversy around Stormont. Last month, Mr Poots blocked MLAs from discussing a proposal which survivors of abuse wanted to become law.The episode was extraordinary - because a large majority of MLAs not only wanted to discuss the proposal, but to vote for it to become law.Mr Poots has now changed his mind but has refused to give any explanation for why he did what he did. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride. 

Throughout the trial of Jeffrey Donaldson, his work for what he called “the local MP” was referenced in court. That MP was Enoch Powell – one of the most controversial British politicians of the 20th century. Donaldson served as Powell’s election agent in the mid-80s. Powell, who passed away in 1998, had been accused of being a paedophile, with allegations arising from around the time Jeffrey Donaldson had been working for him.Former DUP leader Donaldson was found guilty of historical sex offences, including rape, at the start of this week. Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast telegraph reporter Andrew Madden

Jeffrey Donaldson has begun his new life in Maghaberry Prison. Donaldson and his wife, Eleanor, are set to be stripped of their honours. The former MP and DUP leader, Jeffrey Donaldson was found guilty of 18 child sex offences on Monday - including one count of rape.   The 63-year-old had pleaded not guilty, but the jury of seven men and five considered its verdicts for ten hours over three days, believing his victims. His wife Eleanor Donaldson was found to have committed the acts relating to offences of aiding and abetting following a trial of the facts.   Allison Morris joined Ciarán Dunbar to talk about what we couldn’t report while the trial was ongoing. 

Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of 18 historical sex offences, including one count of rape, 13 of indecent assault and four of gross indecency. The offences were against two women when they were children. His wife Eleanor Donaldson has been found to have committed the acts relating to offences of aiding and abetting following a trial of the facts. The leaders of the UUP and TUV immediately called for the Donaldsons to be stripped of their titles.  Jeffrey Donaldson has been taken to Maghaberry prison to start his sentence. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Allison Morris, Sam McBride, and Suzanne Breen. 

Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of all charges – the judge said prison is “inevitable”.  A jury of seven men and five women had considered its verdicts for more than nine hours over two days, and reached a verdict just after lunch on Monday.   The 63-year-old former MP had pleaded not guilty to 18 offences including one count of rape.  His wife Eleanor Donaldson found guilty of all charges including five of aiding and abetting – she was facing a trial of the facts and cannot be convicted or go to prison.    Belfast Telegraph reporter Kyle Frazer joins Ciarán Dunbar.  

Another British Prime Minister is heading for the exit. Just days after insisting he would stay and fight, Keir Starmer has announced his resignation, bringing a sorry end to a premiership that lasted just two years. With his only serious rival out of the running, Andy Burnham now appears to have a clear path to Downing Street. Enda Brady joins Fionnan Sheahan to discuss how Burnham could approach the Irish relationship, handling Trump and defeating Nigel Farrage’s reform? 

Katie Simpson was a talented showjumper whose short adult life centred around the equine industry she'd grown up in. So, when first responders collected her, unconscious and not breathing, from the care of Jonathan Creswell, who would eventually be charged with her murder, police initially believed his claim that he'd found her hanging at home.Creswell died by suicide in the early days of his trial. Since then, Ms Simpson’s story has been covered at length in documentaries, podcasts, a Police Ombudsman’s report, an independent case review, and a book by Nicola Tallant. Although a tragic death among the showjumping set is far from her regular Crime World beat, Tallant believes Simpson’s is a dark story with more yet to be told.This episode contains material that may be distressing. Please take care while listening.Host: Fionnán Sheehan | Guest: Nicola Tallant (author of Groomed: Coercion, Control and a Cold-blooded Murder, and investigations editor at the Sunday World)