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Politics latest: Interim leader named after Jeffrey Donaldson's DUP departure; 'arrogant' Rishi Sunak has 'big questions' to answer over Easter honours, Labour says

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has announced his resignation as DUP leader after being charged with historical allegations by police; fallout continues after a major Tory donor was awarded a knighthood on the recommendation of Rishi Sunak.

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ICYMI: PM criticised for 'surprise' honours list including major Tory donor

By Tim Baker, political reporter

Rishi Sunak has been criticised for announcing a "surprise" round of honours - including a knighthood for a major donor to the Conservative Party.

It was announced on the Thursday before the Easter bank holiday weekend that Mohamed Mansour was being knighted for business, charity and political service - he had given £5m to the Tories in 2023 and is a senior treasurer at the party.

A number of Conservative MPs were also made knights and dames.

Labour's chair, Anneliese Dodds, said Mr Sunak's nominations were "either the arrogant act of an entitled man who's stopped caring what the public thinks, or the demob-happy self-indulgence of someone who doesn't expect to be prime minister much longer".

You can read more from Sky News below:

How Tory MPs can get rid of the prime minister

By Tim Baker and Alexandra Rogers, political reporters

Rishi Sunak looks to have seen off his backbenchers - at least for now.

The nascent rebellions have gone quiet in the past few weeks and the Commons is in its Easter recess, with MPs returning to Westminster on 15 April.

Time away from parliament normally strengthens - or at least prevents the further collapse - of a prime minister, as MPs disperse back to their constituencies and away from the plot-heavy fug of Westminster.

But a potential flashpoint is looming: May's local elections.

A particularly bad performance by the Tories could lead to fresh pressure on the PM's leadership and prove to be the catalyst for a concrete move to oust Mr Sunak.

Sky News explains how Tory MPs could get rid of the PM and - if they are successful - who would likely be in the running to replace him.

Read more below: 

Pledge tracker: Is Sunak keeping his promises?

Over a year ago, Rishi Sunak made five pledges for voters to judge him on.

The prime minister met his promise to halve inflation by the end of 2023.

But with the general election approaching, how is Mr Sunak doing on delivering his other promises?

You can see the progress for yourself below.

Selection of Robinson 'very positive decision'

Reaction is starting to emerge to news Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has resigned as leader of the DUP after being charged with allegations of a "historical nature".

The Democratic Unionist Party has confirmed that Gavin Robinson will step in as interim party leader until an election can be held.

Julian Smith, the Tory MP for Skipton and Ripon, said this is a "very positive decision".

He added: "He and Emma Little-Pengelly played a key role in a tough negotiation to restore power sharing and along with other DUP colleagues will chart a positive course for the future."

Police in Northern Ireland say man charged with 'non-recent sex offences'

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said today that a man had been charged with non-recent sex offences.

A PSNI spokesman said: "Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences.

"A 57-year-old woman was also arrested and charged at the time for aiding and abetting additional offences."

Both are due to appear before Newry Magistrates' Court on 24 April.

Who is Gavin Robinson - the DUP's new interim party leader?

In the last hour, we learned that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, has resigned from his role after being charged with allegations of a "historical nature".

The party also confirmed that Gavin Robinson has taken over as interim party leader.

A statement said: "The party officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the interim party leader."

But who is Mr Robinson?

The politician has been an MP since May 2015, and is currently the member of parliament for Belfast East.

Alongside this, Mr Robinson undertakes the roles of shadow DUP spokesperson for home affairs and for defence.

Analysis: 'Unexpected' resignation of Donaldson comes after social media blackout overnight

David Blevins, our senior Ireland correspondent, has just given his immediate reaction to the news Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has resigned as leader of the DUP with immediate effect.

He says: "Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is Northern Ireland's longest serving member of parliament, first elected back in 1997. 

"He's been leader of the DUP since 2021, you will remember he affectively succeeded Arlene Foster in that role.

"His decision to step down has come most unexpectedly, although there was some speculation when he disappeared from his social media platforms overnight.

"And now we have in the last few minutes had confirmation from the DUP of his reasons for doing so."

DUP leader charged with allegations of 'historical nature'

The Democratic Unionist Party has just confirmed that its leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, has been charged with allegations of a "historical nature".

A letter from Sir Jeffrey indicates "that he is stepping down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect".

The party says Gavin Robinson has been "unanimously" appointed as interim party leader.

A statement adds: "In accordance with the party rules, the party officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.

"The party officers have this morning unanimously appointed Mr Gavin Robinson MP as the interim party leader."

Sir Jeffrey has led the party since 2021, but has been an MP since 1997.

Prior to joining the DUP, he was part of the Ulster Unionist Party's delegation to negotiate the Good Friday Peace agreement.

Labour demands PM rule out 'dangerous' and 'desperate' Farage deal

Labour has warned that Rishi Sunak's that any sort of deal with Nigel Farage could undermine unity against Russian aggression in Ukraine.

It comes after claims in Politico and the i that Tory MPs facing a threat from Reform UK are urging Mr Sunak to offer Mr Farage a deal to stand aside.

There have even been suggestions that the prime minister should offer him the job as the UK ambassador to Washington DC.

In response, Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow paymaster general, said: "Rishi Sunak's weakness leaves him pandering to the extremists in his party.

"Rishi Sunak must put national interest before the Conservative party. No secret negotiations to keep the Farage wolf from the Tory door. 

"Rishi Sunak must rule out this dangerous and desperate deal that risks threatening international unity against Russian aggression and undermining vital support for Ukraine.

"If the prime minister refuses to publicly rule out such a desperate deal, it will be clearer than ever that Rishi Sunak is too weak to act in the national interest.

"Labour will always act in the national interest, and our support for the people of Ukraine in the face of Putin’s illegal invasion is absolute."

Analysis: Timings of honours announcement more curious than its contents

We've been here before.

Questions over who gets gongs stretch back decades.

The appointment of Tory donor and treasurer Mohamed Mansour inevitably relights the row.

Labour has accused Rishi Sunak of being "de-mob happy" and "self-indulgent".

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to clean up cronyism in the honours system.

What that means in practice is unclear, although he has said he wouldn't have a resignation honours list if he became prime minister.

We will wait and see if knighthoods are dished out to major Labour donors if the party makes it into government.

In fact, it's the timing of this announcement that is potentially more interesting than the contents.

There isn't usually an "Easter Honours List".

That's fuelled accusations of attempts to square off supporters ahead of an early general election.

Government sources deny that and say the answer is purely administrative - appointments to the privy council from the devolved assemblies were required, and so the prime minister also wanted to take the opportunity to honour other individuals too.

It's a somewhat curious explanation.

But whatever the truth, the sight of another honour being handed out to someone who's very much in the fold of party politics will hardly strengthen confidence in the behind-the-scenes machinations of Westminster.