LAST UPDATE | 22 Feb

AN INVESTIGATION INTO alleged threats made against DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has detected no criminal offences, the PSNI has said.

However, the DUP a decision was made by Donaldson not to press charges.

Last month, Donaldson told the UK Commons that he had been subjected to threats as he continued his negotiations with the UK Government over a deal on post-Brexit trading arrangements.

The DUP later confirmed the matter had been reported to the police.

A PSNI spokesperson told the PA news agency: “Inquiries were made, no offences were detected and the investigation has now concluded.”

Last month a DUP spokesperson said the party trusted those responsible for the threats “will be held accountable for their actions”.

Donaldson spoke about the alleged threats during an impassioned Westminster speech shortly before his party ended its two-year boycott of the Stormont powersharing institutions.

DUP leader @J_Donaldson_MP reveals in the House of Commons he's been threatened over his efforts to reach a deal to restore Stormont.

He said one of those behind the threat "didn't even vote at the last election". https://t.co/qC9VAoBiBz pic.twitter.com/lz9aE0hspa

— BBC News NI (@BBCNewsNI) January 24, 2024

He told the House of Commons: “And yet today, because of the stirring up that is going on, I was threatened, threatened, by those who never put on a uniform, by those who haven’t served our country.”

He added: “They are threatening people like me, who’s working day and night to try and find solutions and to move Northern Ireland forward on a basis that the vast majority of people can support.

“Well I would just say this to those who stir up, and those who threaten: the provisional IRA attacked me in the past and it didn’t deflect me from the task that I have, and my colleagues have, to do our job and to get the best that we can for Northern Ireland.”

Speaking today, Donaldson said people who made threats against him now know “they are not beyond the reach of the law”.

In a statement, Donaldson thanked the PSNI for its “investigative efforts” and said that a decision was made not to press charges.

A DUP spokesperson said the decision not to press charges was made by Donaldson.

“Those who made the threats now know they are not beyond the reach of the law,” said Donaldson in a statement today.

“They cannot threaten people in public life and stay anonymous from the police.”

The DUP leader added: “I want to see more people in public life where issues are debated and discussed through democratic politics alone.

“We must stand against those who would seek to bully with violent threats.

“I wasn’t intimidated out of politics 30 years ago and I won’t be intimidated in 2024.”