Leader of the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party and longest-serving MP in Northern Ireland, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, has formally stepped down as leader, according to a party statement released Friday. The statement stated that Donaldson has been “charged with allegations of a historical nature,” which is the source of his resignation. It was later revealed by the police that the allegations are of “non-recent sexual offences.” East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson has been “unanimously appointed” by the Party Officers as Interim Party Leader.

It is believed that a statement made by a Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesperson addresses Donaldson’s arrest. In the police statement, an anonymous man was arrested Thursday night on one charge of rape and other sexual offenses, including gross indecency, along with a 57-year-old woman facing allegations of aiding and abetting in relation to his charges. The man’s letter to the DUP said he will be contesting the charges. Both he and the woman will appear in Newry Court on April 24. Both individuals have been released on strict bail conditions, including no contact with one another.

Donaldson had been leader of the party for almost three years, and oversaw the recent power-sharing deal made between the DUP and the UK government. Nationalist party Sinn Féin was elected as the largest party in Stormont government for the first time in May 2022, appointing Michelle O’Neil as the first minister. As the second largest party, the DUP appointed Emma Little-Pengelly as the deputy first minister. Although the two technically hold equal power, it is a symbolic moment for there to be a nationalist first minister.

There is concern that a DUP leadership contest could inflame the DUP’s divisions over sharing power with Sinn Féin, as Donaldson had eventually been an advocate for this solution. However, this concern is not held by all, with former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Julian Smith noting that it was a DUP team, including interim leader Gavin Robinson, that negotiated the deal and will uphold it without Donaldson.

First Minister Michelle O’Neil said:

My priority is to continue to provide the leadership the public expect and deserve, and to ensure the four-party Executive coalition delivers for the whole of our community now and in the future. The DUP Leader has resigned after being charged with serious offences. This is now a matter for the criminal justice system.