King Charles has been praised by an Oxfordshire politician after stripping a UK political party leader of his knighthood.
Jeffrey Donaldson was the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party between 2021 and 2024 and has appeared at the Oxford Union, participating in a well-publicised debate in 2004.
He argued in favour of the motion: "This House would not talk to Sinn Fein".
He was an MP for Lagan Valley from 1997 to 2024 and also a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly from 2003 to 2010.
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However, in June he was convicted of historical child sex abuse offences at Newry Crown Court.
As such, his name was removed from the Privy Council, the body of senior advisers to the King, and a notice was published in the Gazette that the King “directed the cancellation and annulment” of the knighthood conferred upon Donaldson in 2016.
Reacting to the news, Green city councillor for St Mary's ward, Emily Kerr, said: "Given Donaldson has been convicted of raping and abusing children, the most important thing is that he should be facing a custodial sentence in line with the law - as is happening.
"Having said that, the King is right to also remove his knighthood, because it confers public recognition as a role model.
"Whilst Donaldson’s talks at the Oxford Union were prior to his convictions, as a private members club in the heart of our city, the Oxford Union has a responsibility to carefully consider who it invites.
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"As we saw recently with Tommy Robinson, some of its choices create division and incur considerable public cost, eg through policing."
Donaldson is currently being held at Maghaberry Prison awaiting sentencing, having been convicted of 18 sex offences, including one count of rape, relating to the abuse of two women when they were children between 1985 and 2008.
His solicitor, John McBurney, confirmed that papers have been lodged for an appeal.
This newspaper has also approached the Oxford Union for comment.
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