Donaldson denies he had 'to nip something in the bud'

Ex-MP's trial is told of meeting held with pastor

- BY JONATHAN McCAMBRIDGE

JEFFREY Donaldson has denied he attended a meeting in the 1990s with an alleged victim to nip her claims of sexual abuse against him "in the bud".

Prosecution barrister Rosemary Walsh KC is continuing to cross-examine the former DUP leader at his historical sexual offences trial at Newry Crown Court.

Donaldson, 63, has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences.

The charges include one count of rape and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency, and span a time period between 1985 and 2008 involving two alleged victims.

Complainant A and B have given evidence at the trial. Both women allege they were abused as children.

Eleanor Donaldson, 60, from Dublinhill Road, Dromore, Co Down, denies charges of aiding and abetting her husband's alleged offending.

She is facing a trial of the facts on mental health grounds.

Resuming her cross-examination yesterday, Ms Walsh referred to a phone call Donaldson received in the 1990s from David Hoy, the founder of the Christian Family Centre in Armoy.

The court previously heard Complainant B stayed at the Co Antrim centre in the 1990s after developing an issue with drugs.

MEETING

The court has also been told Complainant B had told a pastor at the centre about the alleged abuse by the ex-MP and he then introduced her to Mr Hoy and his wife and a meeting with Donaldson was arranged.

Donaldson said he had not tried to "avoid the meeting" and was happy to meet Mr Hoy.