LONDON– The former leader of Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party made his first court appearance Wednesday on sexual abuse charges dating back almost four decades.
Jeffrey Donaldson, 61, faces one count of rape and 10 other charges dating from 1985 to 2006.
His wife, Eleanor Mary Elizabeth Donaldson, 58, faces four counts of accessory to the alleged crimes.
The pair did not enter a plea during a brief appearance together at Newry Magistrates’ Court. They spoke only to confirm their names, dates of birth and acknowledge that they understood the charges. They were released on bail.
Donaldson resigned as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party after being arrested on March 28.
In a letter to party leaders, Donaldson said he would “vigorously contest” the charges.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the arrest followed a complaint about “non-recent offences” made in early March. The charges involve two alleged victims.
Donaldson faces one count of rape, a single count of gross indecency and nine counts of sexual assault.
His resignation shocked the DUP just months after the party agreed to return to Northern Ireland’s power-sharing government after it won concessions on Britain’s post-Brexit trade deals with the European Union.
As leader of the DUP between 2021 and 2023, he was the most powerful figure in Northern Ireland’s unionist movement, which seeks to maintain the region’s historic ties with the United Kingdom.