Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has denied attending a meeting in the late 1990s with one of his accusers in order to suppress sexual abuse allegations.

Giving evidence for a second day at Newry Crown Court, the former DUP leader rejected the suggestion put to him by prosecution barrister Rosemary Walsh KC that he had gone to the Christian Family Centre in Armoy to “nip in the bud” claims made against him.

Donaldson, 63, faces 18 charges including rape, gross indecency and indecent assault involving two complainants between 1985 and 2008. Both alleged victims say they were abused as children.

The court heard that the meeting was arranged by David Hoy, founder of the Armoy centre, after Complainant B disclosed the alleged abuse to a church pastor. Ms Walsh suggested to Donaldson that he had attended because he needed to deal with a sensitive matter. He stated this was untrue and that no allegation was mentioned to him ahead of the meeting.

Complainant B has previously told the court that Donaldson apologised during the encounter. Donaldson said he expressed regret if he had ever made her feel uncomfortable, but maintained that no allegations were raised. He described the meeting as short, attended by Mr Hoy and his wife Linda, and said it ended with an embrace.

Ms Walsh referred to evidence from the Hoys that Complainant B cried and forgave Donaldson. He said he did not recall tears and denied taking control of the discussion or giving the impression he knew what it was about.

Donaldson also rejected suggestions that he had filtered phone calls or that he approached the meeting defensively. He said it was not unusual for him to receive calls from people he had never met due to his political work.

Cross-examination moved to allegations from Complainant A. Ms Walsh asked whether abuse began when she was of primary school age and involved touching outside clothing and other acts. Donaldson denied each suggestion.

He said he did not know why the two complainants decided to go to police at the same time and repeated that their allegations are untrue.

Donaldson’s wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, 60, denies five charges of aiding and abetting. She is not participating in proceedings after being deemed unfit for a conventional trial on mental health grounds. She faces a trial of the facts.

The trial continues.