Sinn Féin has challenged the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) over "unanswered questions" after Jeffrey Donaldson was jailed last week for a series of child sex crimes.

The former DUP leader was given a 15-year jail sentence after he was convicted of 18 child sex offences, including one count of rape, against two young girls.

The case was raised by Sinn Féin during a matter of the day debate in the Assembly chamber.

Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon said concerns over Donaldson's behaviour in the past need to be examined and addressed by his former party.

But the DUP accused Sinn Féin of using the case to "score political points".

Dillon called on the DUP Education Minister Paul Givan to examine if there are any "safeguarding concerns arising from Jeffrey Donaldson's involvement with schools or boards of governors".

She also challenged the Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to look at "stronger regulation" for charities such as the Christian charity in Armoy, which was involved in the Donaldson case, to ensure sexual abuse is always reported.

"We will not allow anybody to use a position of power or trust as an air of respectability or cover for such behaviour," the Sinn Féin MLA said.

DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley said Jeffrey Donaldson deserves "every single day of his sentence and more" for his crimes against the two women.

He described him as a "perverted self-centred demon".

But he accused Sinn Féin and the TUV of using the victims' "experience to further their political ends".

"I think it is a disgrace at the highest level that political representatives come to this chamber to try and score political points, have you any morality."

Linda Dillon said her first concern is for the victims, but lessons needed to be learned when it comes to abuse of power.

TUV MLA Timothy Gaston also paid tribute to the "courage and tenacity" of the victims who he said ensured one of the most powerful people in Northern Ireland was brought to justice.

"This sordid affair has damaged trust in politics," he said.