Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has arrived at court in Co Down to face charges of rape and other historical sexual offences.
A 57-year-old woman is also due to appear at Newry Magistrates court charged with aiding and abetting in connection with the offences.
There was a huge media presence outside Newry Magistrates Court when Mr Donaldson arrived this morning.
He is facing one charge of rape and a number of other sexual offences of an historical nature.
In addition to a charge of rape, Jeffrey Donaldson faces nine charges of indecent assault against a female and one of gross indecency against a child.
The offences are alleged to have taken place over a 21-year period between January 1985 and December 2006.
The MP for Lagan Valley strenuously denies all of the charges.
He resigned as DUP leader with immediate effect and was suspended from membership of the party following his arrest last month. He remains MP for Lagan Valley, a seat he has held since 1997, as an independent.
Mr Donaldson was arrested by PSNI detectives at his home in Co Down at around 6am on Thursday 28 March and taken to the Serious Crime Suite at Antrim Police Station for questioning.
He was charged later that day.
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