FORMER DUP LEADER Jeffrey Donaldson has sent a letter to the office of the British prime minister requesting that his knighthood be renounced and forfeited.

Donaldson was this week found guilty at Newry Crown Court of 18 historical sexual offences, including one count of rape, against two women when they were children.

He was recognised by the late Queen Elizabeth in her 2016 Birthday Honours and given a knighthood.

An honours recipient convicted under the Sexual Offences Act will automatically be considered for forfeiture of their honour.

Honours can only be revoked by the monarch and it’s understood that the formal process to do so had been underway.

This process for the removal of honours is separate from the British government.

Current DUP leader Gavin Robinson was among senior unionists calling for Donaldson’s knighthood and membership of the Privy Council to be removed.

The Privy Council is a formal body of advisers to Britain’s King Charles.

Donaldson’s solicitor John McBurney today said that he has issued a letter signed by Donaldson to Keir Starmer’s Cabinet Office indicating Donaldson’s “request to renounce and forfeit his knighthood”.

McBurney said he had also issued a letter signed by Donaldson to the Privy Council “tendering his resignation with immediate effect”.

Donaldson is currently on remand in Maghaberry Prison ahead of his sentencing in September.

After he was convicted on all 18 charges on Monday, he was informed by Judge Paul Ramsey to expect a “lengthy sentence”.