Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the former leader of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), and his wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson will face trial on historical sex offense charges.
The husband and wife appeared in Newry Magistrates’ Court this morning, Wednesday, July 3, for a preliminary enquiry.
Jeffrey Donaldson is facing 18 charges - one charge of rape, four of gross indecency, and 13 charges of indecent assault.
The alleged offenses occurred between 1985 and 2008.
Jeffrey was initially facing 11 charges - one of rape, one of committing an act of gross indecency, and nine of indecent assault - but after the evidence file was reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS), the number of charges was increased to 18.
Like her husband, Eleanor's charges were increased from four to five following the PPS review.
Eleanor now faces five charges – aiding and abetting rape between 1987 and 1991, three counts of aiding and abetting indecent assaults on a female child, and one count of child cruelty between 2004 and 2008.
The charges relate to two alleged victims.
The original holding charges were withdrawn in court on Wednesday.
District Judge Eamonn King said in court on Wednesday that he was satisfied there was a prima facie case to answer and adjourned the case to Newry Crown Court for arraignment on September 10. The husband and wife will have to enter a plea on that date.
When asked if they would like to make a written or oral statement in court on Wednesday, Jeffrey said "not at this stage," while Eleanor said "no."
The couple, who previously said they "strenuously deny" the charges against them, remains on bail - Eleanor is staying in Co Down while Jeffrey is staying in London.
The trial is expected to begin early next year.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) previously confirmed that on Thursday, March 28, its detectives "arrested and charged a 61-year-old man for non-recent sexual offences" and that "a 57-year-old woman was also arrested and charged at the time for aiding and abetting additional offences."
As is usual, the PSNI did not name the people who had been arrested.
Jeffrey Donaldson’s social media accounts were deactivated the night of the arrests.
The following day, the DUP confirmed that Jeffrey Donaldson was stepping down as Party Leader with immediate effect after he was charged with "allegations of a historical nature."
Donaldson was suspended from the DUP pending the outcome of a judicial process and Gavin Robinson MP has been named the Interim Party Leader.
Donaldson, a former member of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), became head of the DUP in 2021 following Edwin Poots' short-lived tenure. He had been an MP for Lagan Valley since 1997.
On May 22, British Prime Minister called a General Election for the United Kingdom to be held on July 4 and that British Parliament must be dissolved by May 30.
Jeffrey Donaldson’s solicitor John McBurney confirmed on May 24 that his client would not be standing for reelection.
“I can indicate that it is not Jeffrey’s intention, of course, to stand for re-election,” he told reporters, according to the PA.
“He will be concentrating on the case and defending the charges.
"He is continuing as the MP at the present time.
"There’s various matters to be dealt (with), constituency matters and administrative matters to do with his offices and so forth.”
As The Irish News notes, Donaldson ceased to be an MP on May 30 when British Parliament was dissolved. If Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hadn’t called the election, it’s likely the former DUP leader would still be an MP, with his wife still working as his secretary.
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