A letter written by Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to a woman accusing him of sexual abuse was not connected to her allegations, a court has heard. The claim was made by Kieran Vaughan KC, lawyer for the former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader, during cross-examination of the alleged victim, referred to as Complainant A.
Sir Jeffrey faces 18 sex abuse charges, including one count of rape, which he denies. The letter, dated June 2020 and read in court on Thursday, expressed "regret" for "hurt, pain and distress" he had caused. Complainant A previously testified she believed the letter was an apology for abuse, but Vaughan argued this was not the "proper context."
Vaughan asserted the apology was for other "behaviour," not sexual assault. Complainant A rejected this, stating, "He's a very clever man. He would never write out what he has done in a letter but he could heavily suggest and hint... In his own way, he's using that letter as a form of apology but it's not an apology."
The defense also highlighted communications between Sir Jeffrey and Complainant A as evidence of "friendly banter" inconsistent with abuse claims. Complainant A denied the abuse never happened, alleging three incidents including inappropriate touching and shining a light on her genital area. She claimed Sir Jeffrey's wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, witnessed one incident but did not intervene.
"The facts are the facts and I'm sticking to those," Complainant A said.
Sir Jeffrey denies gross indecency and indecent assault against her between 1999 and 2008. Additional charges, including rape from 1985, involve a second alleged victim, Complainant B. Lady Donaldson faces five aiding and abetting charges, which she denies. She has been found unfit for a conventional trial; a trial of facts is proceeding without her participation.