- Sir Jeffrey is Northern Ireland’s longest-serving MP and denies any wrongdoing.
Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson arrived at court this morning charged with one count of rape and other historic sexual offences.
The 61-year-old politician, who is Northern Ireland’s longest-serving MP, was arrested and charged in late March over historic sexual allegations.
Dressed in a gray suit and blue tie, Sir Jeffrey did not speak as he arrived at court accompanied by his lawyer on Wednesday.
The police tried to keep the road clear during the large media scrum surrounding his arrival.
A 58-year-old woman has been charged with complicity in additional offenses as part of the same police investigation.
Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson arrived at court this morning charged with rape and other historic sexual offences. He is pictured outside the court
Sir Jeffrey is pictured in the media scrum as he arrives at court, flanked by police officers
Members of the press are pictured gathered outside Newry Magistrates’ Court, where Sir Jeffrey’s hearing was taking place.
Sir Jeffrey was released on bail after appearing briefly in court.
Sir Jeffrey resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
The former leader was seen arriving at Newry Magistrates’ Court in County Down this morning, where he was photographed by waiting press outside the courthouse.
In a statement at the time, the DUP said: “The party chairman has received a letter from MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson confirming that he has been accused of allegations of a historical nature and indicating that he is resigning from his position as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party. with immediate effect.
“In accordance with party rules, party officials have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of legal proceedings.”
It appears that in a letter to party leaders he made it clear that he would “vigorously contest” all accusations against him.
Sir Jeffrey was arrested at his home in County Down and taken to Antrim police station for questioning.
In a brief statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that a 61-year-old man had been charged with “non-recent sexual offences” and that a 57-year-old woman, arrested at the same time, had been charged of “aiding and abetting” in relation to the offenses.
Sir Jeffrey has been the MP for Lagan Valley for 27 years and was knighted for his services to politics in 2016.
The 61-year-old politician, who is Northern Ireland’s longest-serving MP, was arrested and charged in late March over historic sexual allegations.
It is understood that in a letter to party leaders he made clear he would “vigorously contest” all charges against him (pictured media outside court today).
Gavin Robinson took over as interim leader of the DUP following the resignation of Sir Jeffrey (Mr Robinson is pictured on April 4, 2024)
He has been the leader of the DUP since 2021.
As Northern Ireland’s longest-serving MP, he was first elected to Parliament in 1997 as a representative of the Ulster Unionist Party.
He left the party in 2003 and joined the DUP due to his long-standing opposition to the Good Friday Agreement and the leadership of David Trimble.
During his tenure in the DUP, he helped negotiate the £1 billion confidence and supply deal with Theresa May’s minority Conservative government, when the Conservatives held the balance of power at Westminster between 2017 and 2019.
More recently, Sir Jeffrey helped bring the DUP back into government in Northern Ireland, ending a two-year boycott of the devolved institutions.
Sir Jeffrey has remained MP for Lagan Valley until now.
East Belfast MP and deputy leader Gavin Robinson has been named interim leader of the party.
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