Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has denied a prosecution claim that he treated a woman who alleges he raped her as a child “like an object.” Giving evidence at his historical sexual offences trial at Newry Crown Court, Donaldson repeatedly rejected allegations of abuse against two complainants.
Donaldson, 63, told the jury he is “crystal clear” that the rape allegation is “simply not true.” The ex-MP became emotional while testifying and described his head being “in a spin” upon his arrest in 2024.
He has pleaded not guilty to 18 charges, including one count of rape, indecent assault, and gross indecency, spanning 1985 to 2008 involving two alleged victims, referred to as Complainant A and B. Both women allege they were abused as children.
His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, 60, from Dromore, County Down, denies several charges of aiding and abetting his alleged offending. She faces a trial of the facts on mental health grounds.
During Thursday's cross-examination, prosecution barrister Rosemary Walsh KC asked if the complainants were lying. Donaldson replied, “I’ve told the truth and I believe what has been said is untrue.” He agreed that meant both were lying.
Ms Walsh questioned when abuse of Complainant B began, suggesting it started when she was aged seven or eight. Donaldson responded, “I don’t agree at all with what you are saying. That wasn’t happening.” He denied abuse began “quite discreetly” and that the victim “didn’t know” it was sexual due to her age.
Regarding his wife’s awareness, Donaldson said, “Given that I was not abusing, that was not an issue. Eleanor wouldn’t have known because there was nothing to know.”
On the alleged rape, he stated, “I am absolutely crystal clear it didn’t happen.” When Ms Walsh noted a “time range of three or four years” for the alleged rape, Donaldson said, “I don’t know when it was because it did not happen.” He rejected suggestions that the victim would not tell anyone because he had “already been abusing her.”
Ms Walsh asked why the alleged victim had “told all these serious lies.” Donaldson replied, “I wish I knew the answer to that question.”
Turning to an incident where Donaldson allegedly lifted Complainant B’s top and touched her breasts when she was of secondary school age, he denied any inappropriate behaviour. Ms Walsh suggested he saw “an opportunity like opportunities you have taken before,” but Donaldson said, “I am afraid I simply cannot accept that.”
Regarding the claim that Eleanor Donaldson walked in during the alleged encounter and left without intervening, Donaldson said, “No, no.” He added, “Nothing untoward happened.”
Ms Walsh asked why Complainant B would fabricate allegations. Donaldson suggested she might be angry because his political career was on the “up and up,” while she dealt with drug problems at a Christian centre in Armoy.
When Ms Walsh said Complainant B claimed Donaldson treated her “like an object,” he responded, “Absolutely not.”
Earlier, Donaldson was questioned by his own barrister, Kieran Vaughan KC. The court heard about a letter Donaldson wrote to Complainant A in June 2020 expressing “regret” over “hurt, pain and distress.” The defence says it does not relate to abuse. Donaldson read extracts, stating, “This is not the reason why this letter was written.”
On the rape allegation, Donaldson told the court, “It just didn’t happen, I am absolutely crystal clear about that. It is not something I would ever have done, it is just simply not true.”
Regarding another incident where he allegedly lifted the girl’s top, Donaldson recalled being alone with her but said they were just talking, and he left when he heard his wife call his name. He denied any inappropriate behaviour, calling the idea “just unbelievable.”
He rejected suggestions that his wife witnessed abuse without intervening, saying, “She would have been very angry, she would have intervened immediately.”
Donaldson also denied kissing Complainant A on the mouth as a child, calling it “ridiculous.” He said his wife would have “gone bananas” if she saw him touch Complainant A’s breasts.
Describing his arrest in 2024, Donaldson said police arrived at 6 a.m. while he and his wife were sleeping. “It was totally unexpected, we just had no idea,” he said. “My head was in a spin, I was thinking ‘what is this about?’”
Donaldson also told the trial that his work as an MP was “all-encompassing” and his wife was “devastated” when he had an affair in 2008. He said he confessed and regretted it. During the Covid-19 pandemic, a bugging device was placed in his car after his wife discovered flirtatious texts with another woman.
The prosecution cross-examination will continue on Friday.
