Former DUP leader and now convicted child abuser Jeffrey Donaldson has asked for his knighthood to be forfeited.

He has also tendered his resignation from the Privy Council with immediate effect.

The moves were confirmed in a statement issued by his solicitor John McBurney.

It read: “I have this afternoon issued a letter signed by Jeffrey Donaldson to the Cabinet Office indicating a request to renounce and forfeit his knighthood.”

On Monday, Donaldson was found guilty of 18 child counts of sex abuse, including one count of rape, which he committed against two women when they were children.

“I have this afternoon issued a letter signed by Jeffrey Donaldson to the Privy Council office tendering his resignation from the privy council with immediate effect,” the statement continued.