Donaldson ‘regret’ letter ‘nothing to do’ with sex allegations, trial hears

The charges span a time period between 1985 and 2008 involving two alleged victims

Jeffrey Donaldson arriving at Newry Crown Court, where he and his wife Eleanor are accused of historical sexual offences. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

A letter written by Jeffrey Donaldson to a woman who has accused him of sexual assault expressing “regret” was “nothing to do” with the allegations, a court has heard.

However, the woman told the trial of the former DUP leader that she believed the letter was an apology for years of alleged abuse.