Former Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson has lodged an appeal against his conviction for 18 sex offences, including one count of rape, relating to the abuse of two women when they were children.
Appeal papers were filed with the Court of Appeal in Belfast on Friday, Donaldson's solicitor John McBurney confirmed. The offences were committed between 1985 and 2008. Donaldson was convicted by unanimous verdict at Newry Crown Court on 22 June 2026 and remains remanded in custody at Maghaberry Prison in County Antrim awaiting sentencing in autumn 2026.
His wife Eleanor Donaldson was found to have aided and abetted his crimes following a trial of the facts on mental health grounds. Following his conviction, Donaldson asked for his knighthood to be forfeited and resigned from the Privy Council. The DUP is undertaking an independent review into what was known about his conduct, led by Jim Gamble.