Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has stepped down as the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party after being suspended.
It comes after an emergency meeting was called at short notice on Friday.
The current deputy leader Gavin Robinson has been appointed as interim leader.
In a statement, the DUP said: "The Party Chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has stepped down as the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party after being suspendedPA"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."
Earlier today, police also issued a statement, but did not identity those charged.
The statement said a 61-year-old man had been charged with "non-recent sexual offences" while a 57-year-old woman was also arrested at the same time and charged with "aiding and abetting additional offences".
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The Lagan Valley MP's social media accounts, including X, Instagram and LinkedIn were deleted overnight.
He was appointed as leader of the DUP in June 2021 and has been an MP since 1997.
Donaldsonwas first elected to parliament as a representative of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).
But after opposing the 1998 Good Friday agreement, he joined the DUP in 2003.
The Lagan Valley MP's social media accounts, including X, Instagram and LinkedIn were deleted overnight
PAIn 2022, the party leader withdrew the DUP from power sharing in protest at the Northern Ireland Protocol.
He recently steered his party back into government ending a two-year boycott of the Stormont institutions in February.
Critics accused him of destabilising Northern Ireland, however the move rallied the party’s base and persuaded London to soften the Irish Sea border.
