Former Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson has taken steps to formally renounce his British knighthood and has resigned from the Privy Council after being convicted of multiple sexual offences.

The moves were confirmed in a statement issued by his solicitor, John McBurney, who said letters had been sent on Donaldson's behalf to the Cabinet Office and the Privy Council office. The correspondence requests the forfeiture of his knighthood and gives notice of his immediate resignation from the Privy Council.

Donaldson was convicted earlier this week on 18 charges, including rape. The offences involved two women and were committed when they were children.

Following the verdict on Monday, Donaldson was taken into custody and remanded to Maghaberry Prison in County Antrim. He is due to appear in court for sentencing later this year, expected in the autumn.