Ex-DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson will face a trial over allegations of historic sex offences.
Donaldson, 61, was charged with seven more offences on Tuesday, bringing the total to 18, after the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) reviewed the police evidence, as is the normal practice.
He was originally charged with 11 sex offences in April.
Donaldson was met by his lawyer, John McBurney, as he arrived at Newry Magistrates’ Court today for a hearing to establish whether there was sufficient evidence against him to proceed with a trial. There was a significant police presence outside the court.
A judge ruled the case could proceed to trial.
His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, 58, was facing four charges including aiding and abetting him but after Tuesday is facing five.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between 1985 and 2006 and involve two alleged victims.
Eleanor Donaldson leaves Newry Magistrates Court in April. Pic: PA
Donaldson, who was Northern Ireland’s longest-serving MP, resigned as DUP leader after he was charged on 28 March following a day of questioning.
He was suspended by his party and remained as an independent MP until the election was called in May. He is not standing to be re-elected as the Lagan Valley MP, where he served for 27 years.
In a letter to the party, he said he would be strenuously contesting the charges.
Donaldson was knighted for his services to politics in 2016.
He helped broker the DUP’s £1bn confidence and supply deal with Theresa May’s minority Tory government, when the party held the balance of power at Westminster between 2017 and 2019.
More recently, he had compromised and led his party back into the power-sharing government at Stormont, which it had boycotted for two years over post-Brexit trading arrangements.
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
Advertisements
Source link
Views: 0
Khamrah by Lattafa for Men - 3.4 oz EDP Spray
4% OffLaunched by the design house of Lattafa This aromatic spicy fragrance has a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and bergamot, dates, praline, tuberose and mahonial, vanilla, tonka bean, benzoin, myrrh, amberwood, and akigalawood It is suitable for all skin typ... read more
Ghost Sweetheart Eau de Toilette | Pineapple, Jasmine and Sandalwood | Perfume for Women 50 ml
50% OffSoft and Romantic: Ghost sweetheart eau de toilette is an enchanting fragrance designed to embody the fresh, spontaneous spirit of sweet, new love Feminine and Sensual: This modern amber floral perfume is perfect for the young, romantic woman, offeri... read more
Marc Jacobs Dot Eau De Parfum for Women, 100 ml
42% OffFragrance from the designer house of Marc Jacobs An eau de parfum for women A divine scent 100 ml bottle Base notes of Driftwood, vanilla, musk
Ted Baker W Eau de Toilette for Her, Fig Leaf, White Peony and Violet Top Notes, Pink Orchid and Raspberry Middle Notes, 75ml
£11.77 (£15.69 / 100 ml) (as of 07/06/2026 03:29 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Elegant Womens Perfume: A fragrance for women that blends floral and fruity notes, suitable for daily wear or special occasions Floral & Fruity Notes: Top notes of fig leaf, white peony, and African violet, with a heart of pink orchid, cassis, and ra... read more
Ted Baker Woman Pink Eau de Toilette Spray Floral Green Feminine Fragrance, Opening Notes are Fresh Peach, Bergamot and Tangerine with Warm Musk, Vanilla and Vetiver Base, 100ml
11% OffFruity Perfume for Women: Opens with peach, apple & bergamot, blooms with jasmine & lily, settles into musk & vanilla. Luxury Designer Perfume: Designer perfume for women with a refined, elegant scent that elevates your senses. Long-Lasting Eau de To... read more
Vera Wang Princess Eau de Toilette - 30 ml
Fragrance from the designer house of Vera Wang An eau de toilette for women Volume: 30 ml bottle Base notes of water lily, apple, tuberose, vanilla and amber, Floral and fruity scent Note: The color of the bottle is pinky/purple
Choco Musk 50ml Eau De Parfum for men and women | Chocolate Musk by Jannat Aromas
17% OffTop Notes: Vanilla, warm Spicy, chocolate Middle Notes: Powdery, sweet, musky Base Notes: Woody, cacao, cinnamon, amber
Christina Aguilera Signature Eau de Parfum (50ml) Floral, Fruity & Exotic Scent, Luxury Fragrance for Women
9% OffFloral, oriental scent Notes of Night Blooming Jasmine, Turkish Rose Feminine, elegant, unforgettable Fragrance for her Christina Aguilera fragrance collection
Calvin Klein - Eau De Toilette CKIN2U - Calvin Klein Women, Ladies Perfume, Women's Perfume, Calvin Klein Perfume, Calvin Klein One - 150 ml
5% OffSensual; powerful; instinctive A female interpretation of an oriental lavender with amber 1.7 fl oz (50 ml) Model number: 4228
Jimmy Choo Flash Eau de Parfum, 60 ml (Pack of 1)
3% OffAn Eau De Parfum for women 60 ml bottle Long lasting fragrance All skin types
Fruit of the Loom Men's Heavy T Shirt, White, XL UK
28% OffFruit of the Loom Men's Heavy Cotton Short Sleeve T-Shirt Regular fit crew neck collar Machine washable at 30°C Quantity per pack: five
ATNKE LED Lighted Beanie Cap,USB Rechargeable Running Hat Ultra Bright 4 LED Waterproof Light Winter Warm Gifts for Men and Women/Pink
17% OffVISIBILITY & SAFETY:You can adjust the brightness by pressing the button. There are 3 modes for you to choose the most suitable brightness. It can last up to 6-8 hours in the lowest level, 4 hours in medium level and 2 hours in the highest level. USB... read more
Men's 1/4 Zip Pullover UK Sale Clearance, Fleece Sweatshirt Casual Jumper Long Sleeve T-shirt Top Stand Collar Sweater Plain Pullover Sports Leisure Workwear Quarter Zip Sweater Lightweight Jumpers
£5.88 (as of 12/11/2025 00:52 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)✤✤【Best Services】: We are a company focused on providing quality clothing, service and quality are trustworthy, If you have any questions, Please contact us in time, We will provide the best customer service, and do our best to give you a satisfactor... read more
Crevice Cleaning Brush, Bathroom Tile Groove Gap Cleaning Brush,Premium Crevice Cleaning Tool Aluminum Support with 15° Angle Magic Brush, Thin Brush for Home Kitchen
19% Off【Crevice Cleaning Brush Material】 Hard-Bristled Cevice Cleaning Brush is ultra-fine PET bristles that are much harder than a toothbrush, the Gap Brush can deep into cracks as well 【Gap Cleaning Brush】They have a long and thin handle, so these Grout C... read more
Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.3 Headphones in Ear with HiFi Stereo Deep Bass, 4 ENC Noise Cancelling Mic Wireless Earphones 40H Playtime, Bluetooth Earbuds Dual LED Display, IP7 Waterproof, USB-C
42% Off2025 Upgraded Bluetooth 5.3 and One-Step Pairing: A97 Bluetooth earphones have the most advanced Bluetooth 5.3 technology, provides faster and more stable signal transmission and successfully achieves low latency without interruption. Once open the l... read more
Jmwedia Fast Absorbent Microfiber Towels sales today clearance prime only of return pallets for sale liquidation bulk of prime of day clothing Soft Kitchen Dishcloths today deals prime women
17% OffDesigned to be more durable, they soften with each wash, so these dish towels won't scratch your delicate cookware, plates and pans. The color variations offer great options for your kitchen decorating . Pick any color kitchen rag you want and set yo... read more
