Key facts
- Sir Jeffrey Donaldson testified in his sexual offences trial at Newry Crown Court.
- He denied all allegations of rape, indecent assault, and gross indecency made by two complainants.
- Donaldson stated the allegations are "simply not true" and "unbelievable."
- The charges span from 1985 to 2008 and involve two alleged victims.
- His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, faces charges of aiding and abetting.
Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has stated he is "crystal clear" that allegations of rape and indecent assault against him are "simply not true." Donaldson testified in his sexual offences trial at Newry Crown Court, where he faces 18 charges spanning from 1985 to 2008, involving two alleged victims who claim they were abused as children.
During his testimony, Donaldson rejected all allegations made by both Complainant A and Complainant B. He described the claim of rape as something that "just didn't happen" and "simply not true." Regarding an allegation of touching a complainant's breasts, he called the idea "just unbelievable."
The court heard that Donaldson wrote a letter in June 2020 expressing "regret" over "hurt, pain and distress," but his defence stated this letter did not relate to the alleged abuse. Donaldson confirmed this, stating the letter was for "another matter."
His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, 60, denies several charges of aiding and abetting her husband's alleged offending and is facing a trial of the facts on mental health grounds.