Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says he is 'crystal clear' rape allegation is false

Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he is "crystal clear" that an allegation he raped a woman when she was a child is "simply not true".

Donaldson, 63, also told his sexual offences trial at Newry Crown Court that an allegation he had touched the same woman's breasts was "just unbelievable".

The ex-MP, who was emotional at times during his testimony on Thursday, has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences.

The charges, which span a period between 1985 and 2008, include one count of rape, and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency.

The two alleged victims, complainants A and B, have both given evidence at the trial, with each claiming they were abused as children.

Eleanor Donaldson, 60, denies several charges of aiding and abetting her husband's alleged offending.

She is facing a trial of the facts on mental health grounds.

Donaldson, who was wearing a blue suit and red tie, was sworn in after entering the witness box and confirmed his identity.

Complainant B, the older of the two alleged victims, claims she was raped by Donaldson.

But the accused told the court: "It just didn't happen, I am absolutely crystal clear about that.

"It is not something I would ever have done, it is just simply not true."

He was also asked about another incident where it is alleged he lifted the girl's top and touched her breasts.

Donaldson recalled being alone with the girl, but said they only talked, and called the suggestion of any inappropriate behaviour "just unbelievable".

He said he got up and left when he heard his wife, Eleanor, call his name.

Donaldson also rejected any suggestion that his wife had witnessed the abuse but did not intervene.

He said: "She would have been very angry; she would have intervened immediately."

Defence barrister Kieran Vaughan KC asked him if he accepted any of the allegations made by Complainant B.

Donaldson said: "No."

The barrister asked the same question about allegations made by Complainant A, and Donaldson again said "no".

Turning to the allegations made by Complainant A, Mr Vaughan asked Donaldson if he had ever kissed her on the mouth as a child.

He responded: "Why would I kiss a child using my tongue?

"That is just ridiculous, that just did not ever happen."

He was asked about another allegation that Eleanor Donaldson had witnessed an occasion where he touched Complainant A's breasts.

He said: "My wife would have gone bananas, that is not something she would have tolerated."

The court previously heard that Donaldson wrote to Complainant A in June 2020 expressing "regret" over the "hurt, pain and distress I have caused".

But the defence said the letter pertains to another matter, with the former MP insisting it is "absolutely not" about alleged incidents of abuse.

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Donaldson told the court how "it was totally unexpected" when he and his wife were arrested by police over the allegations in 2024.

He said he could not remember all that was said during the arrest, adding "all I could hear was legal words".

Asked by the barrister if he had thought about the allegations subsequently, he said: "Every waking moment."

Donaldson added: "My head was in a spin, I was thinking what is this about?

"You do your best to answer questions."

The trial continues.

(c) Sky News 2026: Sir Jeffrey Donaldson says he is 'crystal clear' rape allegation is false