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Donaldson’s downfall was laid bare in vivid detail during the course of his trial, which lasted four weeks. Throughout the proceedings, he maintained a defiant stance, often sitting with his arms crossed. Those closest to him described this behavior as typical Donaldson, showing no signs of weakness even under intense pressure.
There was never any doubt among his associates that he would personally take the stand. With decades of political experience behind him, Donaldson was confident in his ability to persuade the jury of his innocence. However, this strategy ultimately failed to produce the desired outcome.
The repercussions of Donaldson’s collapse have extended beyond his own career, significantly impacting the DUP. After his arrest, he was suspended from the party and, following a two-year period in line with party regulations, was officially expelled in March. During this time, the party refrained from making public statements, opting instead to let “justice take its course.”
Behind closed doors, however, the DUP has expressed feelings of betrayal and disappointment toward their former leader. Some within the party attributed the loss of three Westminster seats two years ago in part to him. Senior party sources revealed that, in the lead-up to the election, discussions with voters were dominated by Donaldson’s arrest and the child sex abuse charges against him. “All they wanted to talk about was Jeffrey and the accusations of child sex abuse, there was just no escaping it,” one source said
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