The Northern Ireland Assembly has launched a review into the conduct of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson during his time as an MLA and visitor to Parliament Buildings.

The review, requested by Speaker Edwin Poots on 29 June, follows Donaldson's conviction last month for 18 sex offences, including rape, against two women when they were children.

It will be led by the Director of Parliamentary Services, who is the assembly's senior safeguarding officer, with guidance from trauma-informed experts. The review period runs from 10 July to 21 August, and a report is due to the clerk/chief executive by 28 August.

The purpose is to enable current and former MLAs, assembly or party staff, and other users of Parliament Buildings to report incidents of abuse or inappropriate behaviour they directly experienced while Donaldson was an MLA or visiting Stormont as an MP. A dedicated email address has been set up for this.

Anyone who believes they have experienced criminal behaviour has been advised to also contact the PSNI.

Donaldson served as an MLA for Lagan Valley from 2003 to 2010 and later was a frequent visitor to Stormont as MP and DUP leader.

Separately, the DUP has commissioned an independent review led by child safety expert Jim Gamble, a former senior police officer, to examine what was known within the party about Donaldson's conduct.

It has also been confirmed that Donaldson has been removed from the Privy Council after he requested his name be taken off the list of members. He has also moved to renounce his knighthood, though that process is not yet complete.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, who worked with Donaldson for over 20 years, said she never witnessed any behaviour that caused her concern. She stated she knew nothing of his offences until his arrest and felt deeply betrayed by his actions.