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If I was to meet Jim Shannon DUP MP on the street, I doubt if I’d recognise him. Yet he’s been an MP for 16 years, when he took the seat which had been kept warm by Iris Robinson. Jim Shannon is an innocent man who has been charged with assault against a woman. Iris Robinson was investigated by the PSNI over her financial dealings, but no criminal charge was brought. There had been allegations that she had an affair with an 19yer-old man and helped him secure £50,000 from two property developers to start a café business. These allegations were what brought on investigations, but no criminal charges were brought. In short, just as Jim Shannon is innocent, so is Iris Robinson.
In contrast, Jeffrey Donaldson DUP leader was convicted last June of sexual offences against two victims, including rape, indecent assault and gross indecency. He is appealing his conviction.
But here’s the thing. Once allegations are made, it ‘s very hard for the person accused to shake them off, even when the allegations have not stood up in court. An unpleasant smell lingers, and what happened or was alleged to have happened has done the DUP no good at all. Circumstances have inflicted serious damage on two prominent members of the DUP. Regardless of his innocence, the Jim Shannon case has added to that unpleasant smell.
With Assembly elections coming up next May, DUP candidates must be feeling some considerable heat on their vulnerable bits.
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