Donaldson Denies Meeting Accuser to Suppress Allegations
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has denied attending a meeting with one of his two sex abuse accusers with the intention to "nip in the bud" allegations made against him.
The former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader, aged 63, is currently giving evidence for a second day at his trial held at Newry Crown Court.
He faces 18 charges, including rape, allegedly committed between 1985 and 2008.
The trial commenced three weeks ago.
There are two alleged victims, identified as Complainants A and B, both of whom claim they were abused by Sir Jeffrey during their childhood.
Details of the Meeting at Christian Family Centre
Prosecution lawyer Rosemary Walsh KC questioned Sir Jeffrey about a meeting with Complainant B at the Christian Family Centre in Armoy in the late 1990s.
This meeting was arranged by Davey Hoy, one of the centre's founders, after Complainant B disclosed the alleged abuse to a pastor.
Walsh suggested to Sir Jeffrey that he had attended the meeting because it was "something you needed to nip in the bud."
"He didn't say 'you need to get up to Armoy as there are serious issues to deal with'. I was not worried about going. I went willingly."
Sir Jeffrey repeatedly denied knowing that the meeting concerned her allegations.
Apology and Meeting Dynamics
In his evidence, Complainant B stated that Sir Jeffrey had apologized to her; however, Sir Jeffrey claimed his apology was for any discomfort he may have caused her, not an admission of allegations.
"If the suggestion is that what I was apologising for is that someone had said there were allegations, that is not the case,"
he told the court.
"She had become a Christian and wanted to move forward... I responded to that."
He described the meeting as brief and stated that he and Complainant B embraced at its conclusion. The meeting was also attended by Davey Hoy and his wife Linda.
Evidence from the Hoys and Emotional Response
The court previously heard testimony from the Hoys.
Linda Hoy testified that Complainant B cried during the meeting when she expressed forgiveness towards Sir Jeffrey.
Walsh questioned Sir Jeffrey about this, asking why Complainant B had cried if the meeting was a "positive experience," as he had earlier described it.
"I remember talking with her, I don't remember the tears, I remember we embraced at the end of the meeting… maybe when I left there were tears, I don't know,"he responded.
Walsh suggested that Sir Jeffrey "took control" of the meeting.
"You went in there and immediately said that you knew what all this was about and that you were truly sorry,"Walsh said.
Sir Jeffrey denied this characterization.
"I didn't take control of that meeting, I did not march into that meeting and say 'OK I know what this is about',"he said.
Allegations Disclosure and Denials
Walsh also questioned Sir Jeffrey about evidence previously presented in court that Complainant B had disclosed allegations to Claire Selfridge, the Hoys' daughter, when both women were teenagers.
Walsh asked if Complainant B had lied to Selfridge.
"I was not aware of the meeting"and
"was not aware of what happened,"Sir Jeffrey replied.
Walsh further asked if Complainant B had lied to Christian pastor Stephen Matthews, to whom she had reportedly disclosed sexual abuse.
Sir Jeffrey reiterated his position.
"Yes, the allegations being made by her, I have said repeatedly are untrue,"he stated.
Comments on Police Reports and Allegations
Later in his testimony, Sir Jeffrey said he did not know why both alleged victims approached the police simultaneously.
He maintained that their allegations are "untrue."
Questions on Specific Allegations
Walsh asked if Sir Jeffrey's ability to comment on the size of Complainant A's breasts was due to him having touched them.
Sir Jeffrey denies charges of gross indecency and indecent assault against Complainant A, who was a child between 1999 and 2008.
He also denies other alleged offences dating back to 1985, including a rape charge involving Complainant B.
Charges Against Lady Eleanor Donaldson
Sir Jeffrey's wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, denies five charges of aiding and abetting his alleged offences.
Lady Donaldson is facing a trial of the facts after being previously deemed unfit for a conventional trial on mental health grounds and is not participating in the current proceedings.
