Political parties in Northern Ireland are calling for full transparency and an independent investigation into safeguarding issues within the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), following recent allegations. Sinn Féin has announced its intention to submit questions to the assembly on Monday regarding the claims, which were aired on the BBC.
This push for answers comes during the final scheduled week of assembly business before the summer recess. Sinn Féin assembly member Deirdre Hargey stated that the reports raised "significant questions" about safeguarding practices within the DUP, adding that "senior members, past and present, within the DUP have made public commentary which has further damaged public confidence." She emphasized that "the public needs full transparency and accountability."
Alliance leader Naomi Long echoed these sentiments, calling for a "fully independent and external" investigation to restore public confidence. "The allegations that senior figures within the DUP, and others in positions of trust, were aware of serious concerns about Jeffrey Donaldson before he became party leader are profoundly serious," Long said. She stressed the need for "full transparency around who knew what and when, what action was taken, and whether appropriate safeguarding procedures were followed." Long asserted that "public confidence cannot be restored through internal party processes alone. Only a genuinely independent investigation can establish the full facts."
The DUP has indicated that it is in the process of commissioning an independent review into safeguarding issues. The timeline for this review and its specific scope have not yet been detailed.