A jury has been sworn in at Newry Crown Court for the trial of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson.

Jury selection concluded Tuesday morning. Donaldson, 63, faces 18 charges including one count of rape and allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency. The charges span 1985 to 2008 and involve two alleged victims.

He has pleaded not guilty. His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, 60, from Dublinhill Road, Dromore, faces separate charges of aiding and abetting. She is undergoing a trial of the facts after being ruled unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds.

Proceedings against both Donaldsons will be heard by the same jury. The judge told potential jurors that Donaldson is well known in public life in Northern Ireland and entitled to the same fair trial as anyone else. The judge noted the allegations were of a sexual nature.

Evidence is scheduled to begin Wednesday with the prosecution's opening address. The trial is expected to last three to four weeks.

Donaldson was arrested and charged at the end of March 2024. He resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party following the charges. He had led the party back into government at Stormont weeks before his arrest.

The PSNI issued a warning about online commentary, stating that speculation may prejudice proceedings and that publishing information identifying complainants is a criminal offence.