Sir Jeffrey Donaldson denies historical sex offences

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson arrives at Newry Crown Court on Tuesday
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson arrives at Newry Crown Court on Tuesday - Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the former DUP leader, has denied a series of historical sex offences over more than 20 years.

The veteran unionist, 61, pleaded not guilty to 18 charges including rape at Newry Crown Court on Tuesday morning.

Sir Jeffrey will go on trial next year over the alleged offences against two victims, which include one charge of rape, four of gross indecency and 13 of indecent assault.

His wife Lady Donaldson, 58, faces five charges including aiding and abetting her co-accused on four occasions and one charge of child neglect. She also denied charges against her.

During the hearing before Judge Ramsey, the pair formally entered not guilty pleas, while Lady Donaldson has also made a legal challenge to drop two of the charges.

Amid a tight security operation, Sir Jeffrey, the ex-MP for Lagan Valley arrived in court, where police formed a protective line outside the building. Lady Donaldson arrived a short time after her husband had entered the court, and the pair sat with a court officer between them.

Lady Donaldson faces five charges
Lady Donaldson faces five charges - Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

Sir Jeffrey wore a navy suit and turquoise tie as he sat in the courtroom where he was asked to confirm his name, age and address. He sat with his arms folded during the hearing and, after the charges were read to him, he was asked if he was not guilty or guilty.

The former MP replied “not guilty” to each charge and will go on trial in March, with the trial expected to last for two weeks.

Lady Donaldson, wearing a floral dress and black blazer, also pleaded not guilty to three charges. Her lawyers have made a “no bill” application over two other charges, which would seek to throw them out. Both defendants were released on bail.

The arraignment followed a hearing in July, where a judge ruled that there was sufficient evidence to send the case to trial.

Sir Jeffrey was arrested along with his wife on the morning of March 28, when police arrived at their home in Co Down. They were taken to Antrim police station, where they were questioned separately throughout the day. They were charged that night, with Sir Jeffrey quitting as DUP leader after he was charged.

He had originally faced 11 charges, but another seven were laid against him after Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service considered police evidence. They are alleged to have occurred between 1985 and 2008 and involve two alleged victims.

An extra charge was also laid against Lady Donaldson, whose five charges are one count of aiding and abetting rape, three charges of aiding and abetting indecent assault and one count of cruelty to a person under 16 years.

Lady Donaldson’s aiding and abetting charges relate to two complainants and are alleged to have occurred between 1985 and 2006.

In May it was confirmed Sir Jeffrey would not stand in the general election and Sorcha Eastwood of the Alliance Party took his former seat.

Sir Jeffrey, Northern Ireland’s longest-serving MP, was elected leader of the DUP in 2021. In 2003, he left the Ulster Unionist Party because of his opposition to the Good Friday Agreement and joined the DUP.