Former DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson Pleads Not Guilty to Historical Sex Offence Charges

Jeffrey Donaldson, former leader of Northern Ireland's DUP, pleaded not guilty to 18 historical sex offence charges, including rape. The trial begins on March 24 at Newry Crown Court. The charges, involving two complainants, include indecent assault and gross indecency towards a child. Donaldson's wife Eleanor also pleaded not guilty to three related charges.

Jeffrey Donaldson, the ex-leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), pled not guilty to 18 charges including historical sex offences and rape, at a hearing on Tuesday. The trial is set to commence on March 24, as per Newry Crown Court.

Donaldson, a prominent figure in Northern Irish politics, resigned abruptly from his position as the leader of the region's largest unionist party in March. This follows the DUP's announcement that he faced allegations dating back to the mid-1980s through 2008. The indictment involves 13 counts of indecent assault on a female child and four counts of gross indecency with a child, implicating two complainants.

In a related development, Donaldson's wife Eleanor also pled not guilty to three charges, including aiding and abetting rape, during Tuesday's court proceedings.

(With inputs from agencies.)