Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has told the jury at his sexual offences trial that he did not abuse two women who have accused him of sexual assault.
Donaldson also insisted that a letter he sent to one of the alleged victims was “absolutely not” about any incidents of abuse.
The ex-MP, 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 both given evidence at the trial.
Both women allege they were abused as children.
Eleanor Donaldson, 60, from Dublinhill Road, Dromore, Co Down, denies several charges of aiding and abetting her husband’s alleged offending.
She is facing a trial of the facts on mental health grounds.
Defence barrister Kieran Vaughan KC called Donaldson as a witness in the trial at Newry Crown Court shortly after 10.30am on Thursday.
Wearing a blue suit and red tie, he was sworn in after entering the witness box and confirmed his identity.
He told the jury that he had developed an interest in politics at the age of 18 and was first elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly at the age of 22.
He said he was first elected to Parliament in 1997 and had been involved in negotiations before the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Vaughan asked him if he accepted any of the allegations made by Complainant B, the older of the two alleged victims.
Donaldson said: “No.”
The barrister asked the same question about allegations made by Complainant A, and Donaldson again said “no”.
The court has previously heard evidence about a letter Donaldson wrote to Complainant A in June 2020 where he had told of his “regret” over the “hurt, pain and distress I have caused”.
The defence has previously told the court the letter does not relate to any alleged abuse, but is about another matter.
Donaldson read extracts of the letter to the court.
Vaughan asked him if the letter referred to incidents of abuse.
Donaldson said “Absolutely not.”
He added: “This is not the reason why this letter was written.”
The trial continues.
