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Northern Ireland's Former Unionist Leader Tells Jury He Did Not Sexually Abuse Two Children

Donaldson told the jury he did not abuse two women who say they were children when the alleged offences occurred.

  • Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson began giving evidence on Thursday at Newry Crown Court, telling the jury he did not abuse the two women accusing him of historical sexual offenses.
  • Donaldson faces 18 charges spanning 1985 to 2008, including one count of rape and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency involving two alleged victims. He previously served in Parliament and negotiated the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
  • Addressing a 2020 letter to Complainant A, Donaldson insisted his reference to "regret" and "hurt, pain and distress I have caused" was "absolutely not" about abuse. The defence claims the letter concerns another matter entirely.
  • Defence barrister Kieran Vaughan KC questioned Donaldson on both sets of allegations, with the accused denying each charge. His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, separately faces a trial of the facts on mental health grounds for aiding and abetting.
  • Both complainants have provided evidence at trial, alleging they were abused as children during the period covered by the charges. The defence continues to contest the allegations as Donaldson's testimony proceeds.
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Northern Ireland's former unionist leader tells jury he did not sexually abuse two children

Former Northern Ireland unionist leader Jeffrey Donaldson has told a jury he is "crystal clear" he did not rape an alleged victim decades ago

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The Telegraph broke the news in London, United Kingdom on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
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