- Written by Jayne McCormack
- BBC News NI Political Correspondent
Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengery said she was “determined” to ensure political stability in the coming days.
Sir Jeffrey resigned from his post on Thursday after being charged with rape and other historic sex offences.
He said he intends to vigorously fight the charges.
In a statement posted to Facebook on Saturday, she said she was “deeply shocked and devastated” by the allegations.
Mr Little Pengelly became deputy prime minister in February after the DUP ended its power-sharing boycott.
In a statement, the Prime Minister said he would work closely with Gavin Robinson as interim leader of the DUP and “continue our work to tackle the big issues facing Northern Ireland”.
She added that her thoughts are with those who have “placed their trust” in the criminal justice system.
Her comments echoed those made by Mr Robinson, who sent out an internal newsletter to all DUP members on Saturday morning.
In his memo, Robinson said police and courts “must be able to complete the process without interference.”
“Nothing we say or do should under any circumstances undermine that process,” he wrote.
“While some may try to score cheap political points, I know that my colleagues and friends across Northern Ireland will ignore the noise and focus on what really matters.”
analysis
This is certainly not the Easter weekend everyone in Northern Ireland politics expected coming.
Just over 24 hours have passed since this bombshell was broken, and reactions from some of the most senior members of the DUP are now being drip-fed.
It is no coincidence that many of Emma Littlepengelly's comments were, in part, echoes of responses from Gavin Robinson.
Lord Geoffrey's closest allies, the party's interim leader and deputy prime minister, are facing a huge and unexpected challenge.
Gavin Robinson gave a solo interview with a broadcaster yesterday, which was followed up today with a note to all DUP members to reassure members and keep everyone on the message.
As with any serious and legally sensitive crisis management situation, the DUP will want to control the narrative over the coming days.
So far there are no signs of division within the party.
The DUP hopes to maintain the status quo by carefully managing its media appearances and statements, mindful of the electoral obstacles that lie ahead.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has issued a statement in response to social media commentary following Sir Jeffrey's resignation yesterday.
The PSNI statement did not name the former DUP leader, but police said that following the arrest and charge of a 61-year-old man in connection with a not-so-recent sex offence, “continued comments on social media platforms are I am aware of it.''
It went on to remind social media users and news editors that “in these types of investigations, the law provides complete anonymity unless the victim chooses to renounce it.”
“Disclosing information that could lead to the identification of a victim is a crime and an investigation may be conducted accordingly.”
Mr Robinson went on to say the DUP was “not about any particular individual”.
“We are a party of MPs, MLAs, MPs and many dedicated members from across Northern Ireland.
“We exist to build a better and stronger Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom.”
DUP party leaders met on Friday and appointed Mr Robinson as interim leader.
In a statement, it said Sir Geoffrey Donaldson had been charged with allegations of a historical nature and had accepted that he would step down as DUP leader.
Party officials suspended Mr Donaldson from membership pending the outcome of the judicial process.
In a letter to the DUP, Sir Jeffrey said he intended to fight the charges vigorously.
A 57-year-old woman has also been charged with aiding and abetting in connection with the charges.
The pair were arrested by PSNI detectives on Thursday morning and questioned before being charged on Thursday night.
He and the 57-year-old woman are scheduled to appear in court next month.