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Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has arrived at court this morning charged with rape and other historical sex offences.
The 61-year-old politician, who is Northern Ireland's longest-serving MP, was arrested and charged in relation to historical sexual allegations at the end of March.
Dressed in a grey suit and wearing a blue tie, Sir Jeffrey did not speak as he arrived at the court accompanied by his solicitor on Wednesday.
Police officers attempted to keep the roadway clear during the large media scrum for his arrival.
A 58-year-old woman has been charged with aiding and abetting additional offences in relation to the same police investigation.
Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has arrived at court this morning charged with rape and other historical sex offences. He is pictured outside of court
Members of the press are pictured gathered outside Newry Magistrates' Court where Sir Jeffrey's court hearing was taking place
Sir Jeffrey resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party pending the outcome of the judicial process.
The former leader was seen arriving at Newry Magistrates' Court in County Down this morning, where he was pictured by the waiting press outside the justice house.
In a statement at the time, the DUP said: 'The Party Chairman has received a letter from Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP confirming that he has been charged with allegations of an historical nature and indicating that he is stepping down as Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party with immediate effect.
'In accordance with the Party Rules, the Party Officers have suspended Mr Donaldson from membership, pending the outcome of a judicial process.'
It is understood that in a letter to party officers, he made clear he would be 'strenuously contesting' all charges against him.
Sir Jeffrey had been arrested at his home in County Down and taken to Antrim Police Station for questioning.
In a short statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that a 61-year-old man had been charged with 'non-recent sexual offences' and a 57-year-old woman, arrested at the same time, had been charged with 'aiding and abetting' in connection with the offences.
Sir Jeffrey has been been MP for Lagan Valley for 27 years and was knighted for his services to politics in 2016.
The 61-year-old politician, who is Northern Ireland 's longest-serving MP, was arrested and charged in relation to historical sexual allegations at the end of March
It is understood that in a letter to party officers, he made clear he would be 'strenuously contesting' all charges against him (pictured are the media outside of court today)
Gavin Robinson has taken charge of the DUP as the party's interim leader following Sir Jeffrey's resignation (Mr Robinson is pictured on April 4, 2024)
He has been the DUP's leader since 2021.
Acting as Northern Ireland's longest-serving MP, he was first elected to Parliament in 1997 as a representative of the Ulster Unionist Party.
He left the party in 2003 and joined the DUP due to his long-standing opposition to the Good Friday Agreement and the leadership of David Trimble.
During his time in the DUP he helped to broker the party's £1bn confidence and supply deal with Theresa May's minority Conservative government, when the Tories held the balance of power at Westminster between 2017 and 2019.
More recently, Sir Jeffrey helped steered the DUP back into government in Northern Ireland, ending a two-year boycott of the devolved institutions.
Sir Jeffrey has so far remained as MP for Lagan Valley.
East Belfast MP and deputy leader Gavin Robinson was appointed interim party leader.
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