Jeffrey Donaldson has been charged with historical sexual offences and has quit as Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader.
BBC NI is reporting that a 57-year-old woman has also been charged with aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences.
They were both arrested on Thursday morning by PSNI detectives and were questioned before being charged on Thursday night.
They are now due to appear in court next month.
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.
“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.”
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