The jury in the trial of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson for alleged sex offences has been sworn in at Newry Crown Court. The trial, expected to last about four weeks, began on Tuesday amid a heavy police and media presence.
Donaldson, 63, faces 18 charges including rape, gross indecency, and indecent assault spanning 21 years. The rape charge relates to an alleged incident between 1985 and 1991. His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, 60, is charged with aiding and abetting rape and indecent assault, but was deemed unfit to stand trial and will face a trial of facts, which cannot result in a conviction.
Both deny the charges. The judge, Paul Ramsey, told potential jurors that Donaldson, a well-known public figure, is entitled to a fair trial. The prosecution is expected to begin its opening address on Wednesday.
Donaldson, a former MP for Lagan Valley, was arrested in March 2024 and resigned as DUP leader and MP. He was knighted in 2016 and helped broker the post-Brexit Windsor Framework.
