WATCH: Jeffrey Donaldson arrives at Newry court for latest hearing in his prosecution for alleged historical sex offences
Jeffrey Donaldson has arrived at Newry court for the latest hearing in his prosecution for alleged historical sex offences
His wife, Lady Donaldson, is a co-accused and will appear with him for the plea hearing at Newry Crown Court.
Ex-DUP leader Sir Jeffrey was arrested over the allegations in March.
He is accused of one charge of rape, four of gross indecency and 13 charges of indecent assault.
The charges span a time period between 1985 and 2008.
Lady Donaldson faces charges of aiding and abetting in connection with the alleged offences.
It is understood that in a letter to DUP party officers earlier this year, Sir Jeffrey made clear he would be “strenuously contesting” all charges.
He was MP for Lagan Valley from 1997, at the age of 34, until the recent general election.
Sir Jeffrey became leader of his party in 2021, after a period of turmoil in which Edwin Poots briefly held the top post, replacing Arlene Foster.
His long political came to an abrupt end when the case against him suddenly emerged just before Easter, throwing the DUP into a fresh leadership crisis.
More to follow