Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), is set to appear in court later today on historical sex charges. The 61-year-old was arrested back in March and has been charged with a number of offenses, including rape. He has vowed to strongly deny these allegations. Additionally, a 57-year-old woman has also been charged with aiding and abetting, relating to the same incidents.
Sir Jeffrey resigned from his post as DUP leader on the same day he was charged. He was replaced by Gavin Robinson who became the party’s interim leader as soon as Sir Jeffrey stepped down. The party issued a statement which explained that Sir Jeffrey’s membership had been suspended pending the outcome of the judicial process. Despite resigning as leader, however, he remained in his role as MP for Lagan Valley constituency, which he has held since 1997.
Sir Jeffrey plans to attend Newry Magistrates’ Court in person, according to sources. During the hearing, he will not be required to enter a plea. This will happen at a later stage of the legal proceedings.
Donaldson has a long political career, having become Northern Ireland’s longest-serving MP, first elected to Parliament in 1997 as a representative of the Ulster Unionist Party. He left the party and joined the DUP in 2003, opposing the Good Friday agreement and the leadership of David Trimble. Recently he steered the DUP back into the government in Northern Ireland, ending a two-year boycott of the devolved institutions. In 2016 he was knighted for his political service.
It remains to be seen how these charges will impact his political career, or his trial in the coming weeks. Nonetheless, he has promised to “vigorously” fight all the accusations against him
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