Donaldson keeping a low profile in London

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, who is facing court charges on 11 alleged historical offences, has been keeping a low profile at his London residence. The veteran politician owns his one-bedroom apartment on the Greenwich Peninsula near London’s Millennium Dome, now The O2.

A resident confirmed Mr Donaldson had been living at the apartment, but said they had not seen him recently.

“I don’t often see him but it’s always sort of in and out, he’s usually coming or going in the early morning and would keep himself to himself, but he hasn’t been around the last while,” they said.

When Mr Donaldson first appears in Newry court in 10 days’ time, he may be sharing the public gallery with some of Northern Ireland’s leading dissident republicans.

He and wife Eleanor Donaldson are due to be present for the first hearing of their cases on April 24 when the historical sex charges will be put to them by the clerk of the court.

Also listed for hearing that day is a case involving an ex-Sinn Féin election candidate charged in connection with the attempted murder of Detective Chief

Inspector John Caldwell. has been paid a total of more than £2m (€2.3m) in taxpayer-funded salaries over the course of his political career.

The politician (61) continues to receive his MP’s salary and will do until he decides to give up his Lagan Valley seat.

The figure is an accumulation of earnings from his political positions ranging from local councillor up to MP and junior minister, but it does not include pension contributions or deductions for income tax and national insurance, nor is it adjusted for inflation over the four decades it covers.

It is understood the veteran unionist will not stand for re-election but is unlikely to resign his seat before this autumn’s Westminster poll.

Between now and then, he stands to earn about £53,000 from his MP’s salary alone. Mr Donaldson currently sits as an independent MP after he was suspended by the DUP following the charges. He will face Newry Magistrates Court on April 24 where he will face one charge of rape, one of gross indecency and nine counts of indecent assault. His wife Eleanor (57) is charged with aiding and abetting additional offences in relation to her husband’s case. Both strenuously deny all the charges.