Former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is to appeal his recent conviction on 18 charges of child sex offenses. His solicitor, John McBurney, confirmed on Friday that appeal papers had been lodged with the relevant court.
Donaldson, 63, was found guilty last month by a jury at Newry Crown Court of offenses relating to two female complainants when they were children. The charges included one count of rape, 13 of indecent assault, and four of gross indecency. The jury also found his wife, Eleanor Donaldson, 60, to have aided and abetted his offenses by turning a blind eye, though she was too ill to stand trial.
During the trial, Donaldson, who was first elected to Parliament in 1997, had told police and the jury that the allegations were "unbelievable" and "simply not true." The offenses, which occurred over a 23-year period, included kissing one victim and indecently assaulting another, including once in front of his wife. Eleanor Donaldson reportedly walked away and closed the door when aware of some of the abuse.
Donaldson was arrested and charged in March 2024 and immediately stepped down as leader of the DUP, Northern Ireland's largest pro-British unionist party. He is currently being held at Maghaberry Prison awaiting sentencing.
The DUP has initiated a review, led by former senior police officer Jim Gamble, to examine what was known within the party about Donaldson's conduct. Additionally, the Northern Ireland Assembly is conducting its own review into alleged inappropriate behavior associated with Donaldson at Stormont during his tenure as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from 2003 to 2010.
Earlier this month, Donaldson was removed from the Privy Council after requesting his name be removed from the list of senior advisors to the King.
If granted, the appeal is expected to be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast in the autumn, with the aim of having the convictions overturned.