Jeffrey Donaldson: Ex-DUP leader in court over rape and sex-offence charges

Former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has appeared in court charged with rape and 10 other historical sex offences.

His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, a co-accused in the case, faces four charges.

The offences are alleged to have occurred between 1985 and 2006 and involve two alleged victims.

The pair were arrested at their home on 28 March and charged by police after a day of questioning.

Neither Sir Jeffrey nor Lady Donaldson have responded publicly to the charges.

However, the BBC understands Sir Jeffrey had written to the party saying he would be strenuously contesting the charges.

Lady Eleanor Donaldson arrives at Newry Courthouse

Sir Jeffrey, 61, who remains MP for Lagan Valley, quit as party leader with immediate effect.

Gavin Robinson was appointed as the party's interim leader.

What is Jeffrey Donaldson accused of?

He appeared at Newry Magistrates' Court on Wednesday facing 11 charges - one of rape; one of gross indecency involving a child; and nine counts of indecent assault.

The charges against his 58-year-old wife are connected to aiding and abetting his alleged offences.

There was a huge media presence outside the entrance to the court as Sir Jeffrey arrived; they were taking pictures and some shouted questions.

When the hearing began, the couple stood together in the dock, separated by a custody officer.

Both stood up when the charges against them were read out.

They spoke only to confirm their names and dates of birth, and to say they understood the charges.

A detective sergeant told the court that the police believe they can connect both accused to the charges.

Sir Jeffrey spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and to say he understood the charges

Neither defendant was asked to formally enter a plea, as is usual in a first court appearance - that will happen at a later stage of proceedings.

Bail conditions were then discussed.

The pair can have contact with each other, but not with any prosecution witnesses.

They were each released on £350 bail.

The case was next listed for 22 May, but neither accused has to appear in court on that date.

The hearing lasted seven minutes.

From the court: Donaldsons in the dock at crowded Newry Courthouse

The Donaldsons were led into the dock a few minutes before the start of proceedings at 10:40 BST.

They each chatted briefly to the court custody officers beside them.

One officer sat in between the couple.

Sir Jeffrey looked straight ahead throughout the proceedings.

The small courtroom was crowded, with room for only 13 journalists on the press benches.

The husband and wife stood with their hands clasped in front of them as the charges were read out.

It was a short hearing in which no details of the investigation were provided.

Who is Jeffrey Donaldson?

Sir Jeffrey began his career in politics when he worked for MP Enoch Powell between 1982 and 1984

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was elected leader of the DUP in 2021.

He is Northern Ireland's longest-serving MP, having been first elected to Parliament in 1997 as a representative of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP)

He first entered politics when he worked for MP Enoch Powell between 1982 and 1984 after joining the UUP.

Sir Jeffrey's own career in front-line politics began in 1985 when he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly as its youngest member.

In 2003, he left the UUP to join the DUP due to his long-standing opposition to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and the leadership of David Trimble.

Sir Jeffrey recently steered the DUP back into government in Northern Ireland ending a two-year boycott of the devolved institutions.

He was knighted in 2016 for political service.

He married his wife Eleanor in 1987.