Jeffrey Donaldson will not seek re-election amid sex offences case, says solicitor

Jeffrey Donaldson resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party after the allegations against him emerged in March. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, who is facing a series of historical sex offence charges, will not contest the general election, his solicitor has confirmed.

The statement came after a judge fixed a date for a hearing to establish whether there is sufficient evidence to send Donaldson to trial.