Sex abuse trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson under way as jury sworn in

The sex abuse trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is under way at Newry Crown Court as a jury is sworn in.

The selection took about 40 minutes.

Before it started, judge Paul Ramsey asked the former DUP leader if he was ready for his trial. He replied: "Yes."

The 63-year-old has pleaded not guilty to all 18 charges he faces, including one count of rape.

His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faces a trial of the facts on related charges of aiding and abetting, which she has denied.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson sat in the dock between two court custody officers, with his arms folded, as jury candidates were called in.

The judge told the jury he expected the trial to last three to four weeks.

The Donaldsons were arrested at their County Down home and charged on 28 March 2024.

Sir Jeffrey, 63, resigned as DUP leader the next day and did not contest his Lagan Valley seat at the general election four months later.

He is accused of rape, four counts of gross indecency and 13 counts of indecent assault.

The offences allegedly occurred between 1985 and 2008.

There are two alleged victims.

The trial was postponed on two occasions last year because of Lady Donaldson's health.

At a hearing last week, Judge Paul Ramsey declared the 60-year-old unfit for a conventional trial under the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order.

Under a trial of the facts, she will not participate in proceedings.

Last month, the Northern Ireland Attorney General, Dame Brenda King, issued a warning about social media posts.

She said people could be found in contempt of court, punishable by up to two years imprisonment, for comments which prejudice proceedings.

"Further, it is a criminal offence to identify the complainants, who must remain anonymous," she said in a statement.

The police also advised people against publishing "speculation" online, or anything which could "directly or indirectly" identify the complainants.