Former leader of Northern Ireland's Ulster Unionist Party pleads not guilty to sexual offense charges

London, September 10, 2024. The former leader of Northern Ireland's largest unionist party, Jeffrey Donaldson, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to rape and other sexual offense charges. The 61-year-old Donaldson denied all charges including one count of rape, four counts of aggravated indecent assault, and 13 counts of indecent assault. These charges involve two alleged victims and span from 1985 to 2008. His 58-year-old wife, Eleanor Donaldson, also pleaded not guilty to charges of allegedly aiding and abetting these crimes. The trial date is set for March 2025.

Donaldson resigned as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and as a member of the British Parliament after his arrest on March 28. His resignation shocked the Democratic Unionist Party just months after the party agreed to rejoin the power-sharing government in Northern Ireland after he secured concessions for post-Brexit trade arrangements with the European Union. During his tenure as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party from 2021 to 2023, Donaldson was the most influential figure in Northern Ireland's unionist movement and was committed to maintaining the region's historical ties with the United Kingdom.