A former Northern Ireland party leader is standing trial for sexual abuse charges, including rape, that he denies. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, who led the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) until March last year, is accused of 18 counts against two women, with alleged offences spanning from 1985 to 2008. The case has drawn widespread attention because of his senior political role and the nature of the allegations.
The 63-year-old former MP is being tried at Newry Crown Court. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including one count of rape. Two women, referred to as Complainant A and Complainant B, reported their allegations to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in March 2024. The trial previously heard that in 2020, Sir Jeffrey wrote to Complainant A expressing “regret” for the “hurt, pain and distress” he had caused her. In evidence, the woman said she believed the letter was an attempt to apologise for the alleged abuse. But when questioned by his defence barrister, Sir Jeffrey told the jury the letter was “absolutely not” about abuse. “I would never have done anything of that nature. This was not the reason why this letter was written,” he said.
“A look at the historic sex abuse trial of ex-DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson”
Sir Jeffrey also addressed the rape allegation made by Complainant B. He said: “It just didn’t happen. I am absolutely crystal clear about that.” He described as “unbelievable” a claim that he had touched the woman’s breasts while his wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, was present and walked away. “The idea I was standing there with a child with her clothes pulled up and feeling her chest… and my wife walked in and saw this and just walked out again is unbelievable,” he told the court. “She would have been very angry and intervened immediately because that is the nature of my wife… there is no situation where that happened.”
The trial also heard about a meeting at a Christian Centre in Armoy in the 1990s, at which Complainant B claimed Sir Jeffrey had apologised. Sir Jeffrey recalled a short meeting also attended by Davey and Linda Hoy, who ran the centre. He said he “embraced” Complainant B and said he was sorry if she had ever felt “uncomfortable or unhappy” about him. He said the meeting was “a very positive experience” for him, and that the word “allegation” was never mentioned.
Separately, the case has put a spotlight on how the UK legal system handles historic sex abuse claims, particularly when they involve political figures. In a related development, a former victims minister delivered a letter to Downing Street calling on the prime minister to meet with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, highlighting the ongoing advocacy for victims in high-profile cases.
Q: What are the charges against Sir Jeffrey Donaldson? He faces 18 sex abuse charges, including one count of rape, allegedly committed between 1985 and 2008. The offences involve two women who reported their allegations in March 2024.
Q: Has Sir Jeffrey Donaldson pleaded guilty? No. He denies all charges and told the jury he is “crystal clear” the rape allegation is false. His defence barrister is presenting evidence to challenge the claims.
Q: Why is this case important for UK readers? It involves a former party leader and MP, raising questions about how historic abuse allegations are investigated and tried. The trial also touches on issues of victim credibility and the presumption of innocence, which are central to the justice system.
What happens next The trial continues at Newry Crown Court, with Sir Jeffrey Donaldson still giving evidence. The jury will later be asked to deliver verdicts on each charge. No date has been set for the conclusion of proceedings.