Court Hears Lady Donaldson Knew of Alleged Abuse in Trial Over 18 Charges

6 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 1

Newry Crown Court heard Complainant A say Lady Eleanor Donaldson knew of an alleged incident in which Sir Jeffrey Donaldson used a bright light to examine her genital area.
Under cross-examination, the complainant said she told Lady Donaldson about the episode and a separate alleged kiss, and that Lady Donaldson later asked if she was telling the truth.
Lady Donaldson's barrister said his client had raised the bright-light allegation with Sir Jeffrey; the complainant said both defendants laughed off the kissing allegation as a joke.
Sir Jeffrey, the former DUP leader, denies 18 sex abuse charges including rape, while Lady Donaldson denies five aiding-and-abetting charges and is subject to a trial of the facts after being ruled unfit for a conventional trial.
The alleged offences involving Complainant A span 1999 to 2008, while separate allegations involving Complainant B date back to 1985; the trial is continuing.

She's unfit for trial but accused of enabling abuse. What did Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's wife know?

Beyond the verdict, can Northern Ireland's politics recover from this high-profile abuse scandal?

After a letter confessed to 'sinful actions,' why does the fallen politician now deny all charges?