Jeffrey Donaldson knighted for three decades of political service

The DUP’s Lagan Valley MP awarded knighthood in queen’s birthday honours

Jeffrey Donaldson: a member of the UUP until 2003, he is the DUP’s parliamentary chief whip and defence and business spokesman at Westminster. Photograph: Paul Faith/PA Wire

The DUP’s Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson has been awarded a knighthood in Queen Elizabeth’s birthday honours.

Mr Donaldson, from Kilkeel, Co Down, is being recognised and made a Sir for his political service.

A member of the UUP until 2003, he is the DUP’s parliamentary chief whip and defence and business spokesman at Westminster.

From 1983 to 1985 Mr Donaldson served as Enoch Powell MP’s constituency agent.

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In 1985, aged 22, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in a byelection. In 1997 he was elected MP for Lagan Valley.

The Orangeman and former UDR soldier was a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly from 2003 until he stepped down in 2010.