Former DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to Stand Trial on Multiple Sex Offense Charges

Former DUP Chief Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to Stand Trial on 18 Charges of Sexual Offenses

The politician from Northern Ireland stepped down from his leadership role in the DUP following his arrest in March.

Political correspondent @alixculbertson

Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 12:

Former DUP chief Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is set to go on trial facing 18 counts of alleged historical sexual offenses.

At Newry Magistrates' Court, District Judge Eamonn King declared that he believed there was sufficient evidence for Donaldson, aged 61, and his spouse, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, aged 58, who is similarly accused, to be formally charged and face trial, following their preliminary hearing.

They are scheduled to be arraigned at Newry Crown Court on September 10, prior to their trial.

Donaldson faces charges including one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency, and thirteen counts of indecent assault.

His spouse is accused of assisting and supporting the purported crimes.

The accusations are said to have occurred from 1985 to 2006 and pertain to two purported victims.

Donaldson has previously signaled his intentions to fight the accusations leveled against him.

The charges against the politician from Northern Ireland were originally set at 11 sexual offences in April, but by Tuesday, they had escalated to 18. Similarly, the allegations against his wife rose from four to five following a review of the police evidence by the Public Prosecession Service (PPS), a standard procedure.

Heavy police security surrounds the court appearance of the well-dressed former DUP leader

Chief Ireland correspondent

A considerable number of police officers were stationed outside the courthouse, where barriers had been set up to avoid a recurrence of the demonstrations that occurred during the Donaldsons' initial court appearance in April.

Donaldson, clad in a dark blue suit paired with a green tie, was seen wearing a freshly grown beard.

His spouse was dressed in an ivory suit and had recently trimmed her hair shorter.

They briefly rose to acknowledge their identities, birthdates, and comprehension of the accusations.

The pair was placed apart by corrections officers while in the courtroom.

An attorney representing the Public Proseculture Service expressed their belief that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with a case.

Attorneys representing each defendant chose not to present a rebuttal currently.

When questioned about making a statement, Donaldson responded, "Not at this time."

His spouse responded, "No."

Donaldson, the most longstanding MP from Northern Ireland, stepped down from his position as the leader of the DUP after he faced charges on March 28, subsequent to a full day of interrogation.

His political party suspended him, and he continued to serve as an independent Member of Parliament until the May elections were announced. He has decided not to seek re-election for his Lagan Valley seat, which he held for 27 years.

In a communication addressed to the party following the surfacing of the accusations, he stated his intention to vigorously defend himself against the charges.

In 2016, Donaldson received a knighthood for his contributions to the field of

He facilitated the Democratic Unionist Party's £1 billion confidence and supply agreement with Theresa May's minority Conservative government, during a time when the party had significant leverage in Westminster from 2017 to 2019.

In a recent move, he brokered a compromise that brought his party back into the coalition government at Stormont, after a two-year boycott stemming from disagreements over trade arrangements post-Brexit.

Stay informed with the most recent updates from the UK and across the globe by tuning into Sky News.

Stay ahead with the latest Breaking News

Download the Sky News app at no cost.

Associated Subjects

Footer for Sky News

Information About Sky News

Services Provided by Sky News

Sky Network Channels

Additional Sky Websites