Politics · 17 August 2026
DUP MP Jim Shannon, 71, charged with common assault
Richard Townshend via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Jim Shannon, a 71-year-old DUP MP, is charged with common assault involving a woman, stemming from an alleged incident on 1 October 2023. His defence counsel submitted a statement to Newtownards Magistrates' Court on Monday, though he was absent from the proceedings. The case has been adjourned until 1 September, with the Public Prosecution Service planning to amend paperwork.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs