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Jun 29, 2026

Disgraced ex MP 'visited gay sauna' while calling homosexuality 'sinful'

Disgraced ex MP 'visited gay sauna' while calling homosexuality 'sinful'

The former leader of the DUP was convicted last month of a string of sexual assaults including rape.

Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add as a preferred source on Google Add us as preferred source By Conor Wilson, News Reporter 06:49, Mon, Jun 29, 2026 Updated: 06:50, Mon, Jun 29, 2026

Defence Summing Up In The Trial Of Former DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson

Donaldson has been told he faces a lengthy custodial sentence (Image: Getty)

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson visited a gay sauna in London in the very same year he described homosexuality as "sinful", a BBC documentary has alleged. The disgraced politician was convicted last week of 18 sexual offences, including one count of rape, against two women when they were children.

A BBC NI Spotlight documentary, due to air tonight, will reveal how Donaldson was observed by two former policemen entering Chariots Sauna near the Houses of Parliament in 2006. The former head of the PSNI's Serious Crime Branch, Tim Hanley, told the broadcaster that he was "100 per cent sure" Donaldson entered the building, a claim corroborated by the second detective who was also present at the scene.

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Former DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson And His Wife Enter Pleas For Sexual Misconduct Charges

Donaldson was convicted last week of 18 sexual offences, including one count of rape (Image: Getty)

Whilst much of the conduct is not illegal it tells a story of a 'double life'.

In the documentary, the former head of the PSNI's Serious Crime Branch, Tim Hanley said that he was "100 per cent sure" Donaldson entered the building, a claim corroborated by the second detective who was also present at the scene.

He added: "Somebody's sexuality is their own business. But I think it's the whole, if you like, history of the DUP.

"They were opposed to gay marriage, they've always had that angle, that bigotry towards members of the gay community and that's where the shock came from, that there could be such a double standard.

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