Jeffrey Donaldson steps down as DUP leader after being charged with historical sex crimes -*Read OP*

DUP website struggling - possibly a better link - https://news.sky.com/story/amp/dup-leader-sir-jeffrey-donaldson-suspended-13103753

In a statement, the DUP said: "The Party Chairman has received a
letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged
with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is
stepping down as Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate
effect.

"In accordance with the Party Rules, the Party Officers
have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a
judicial process.

"The Party Officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the Interim Party Leader."

They might make Edwin poots the guy who believes the world is 6000 years old leader again!

Think this could cause serious problems for DUP and might lead to their political downfall. Hopefully.

He was leader for five minutes already. Blown his chance.

Robinson 2 (he isn't related to Peter) has got it interim and likely will keep it

And is he going to leave his constituency without an attending Westminster rep, something he has moaned about SF doing before.

DUP voters are not going to change to SF, nor will it have any benefit in ROI.

The Unionist parties that are harder and softer line on things may both benefit, TUV and UUP

Yes, I suppose I meant in terms of the DUP losing their vice grip on the hardline. But as you say that depends on what happens next, and it may become an even more intransigent situation in the end. Hard to tell.

It may split the unionist vote in places.

More likely to benefit Alliance, could get them East Belfast.

It would cement SF in North Belfast too, but they hold that now

Alliance would probably win a by election for Jeffreys seat too.

Yes. And she ran him closer than anyone expected last time - still over 6000 behind but people thought 10k+

How does it enhance the progression towards a United Ireland??

She received a load of praise for an appearance on the Stephen Nolan TV show a few months ago - people were impressed with how articulate she was and how she was getting her points across.

Or consolidate it. Unionists are pragmatic, they realise they are in a minority on the island. Quite capable of using constitutional politics to defend their position stoutly.

He isn't in the assembly. He remains in Westminster as an Independent until such time as he resigns or the next election - cannot see him getting reelected

He did get elected to the assembly but immediately resigned and gave the seat to Emma Little Pengelly. They don't do by elections in the assembly, it's like a county council in that regard

Suspended from the orange offer too.

What does this mean for power sharing government?

It could destabilise the Assembly. JD was the main man pushing the Windsor framework (with modifications) and ending the boycott. Now he's gone so the main man who advocaedfor going back to the Assembly is gone. Robinson (I hear on the news) wasn't as enthusiastic about the Windsor framework.

So there you have it. They're more likely to either walk out again or otherwise destabilise thegovernment

Nobody in either the DUP or the UUP was enthusiastic about the framework. Gavin Robinson is more mild-mannered than others in his party.

Its now her seat til the next election, can't be un-done

This will only affect the Assembly if DUP members make it affect it. Which they totally could.

You are right. The Deputy First Minister was not elected (by the people). May have precluded her from from DUP leadership but not from DFM!