A former DUP leader, Jim Donaldson, denies allegations that he attended a meeting intended to “nip” sex abuse claims “in the bud,” according to reporting. Donaldson, 63, has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences. The reports state that the case concerns conduct attributed to Donaldson, with the denial addressing claims about the purpose of a specific meeting. The details of the meeting, who attended, and what was discussed are not described in the provided summaries. The sources also agree that the matter is currently at the stage where Donaldson has entered a not guilty plea, indicating that the allegations will be contested. No source in the provided material indicates a conviction, and the denials are presented in the context of the legal proceedings. Overall, the reporting aligns on Donaldson’s age, his not guilty plea to 18 offences, and his denial regarding the meeting linked to sex abuse claims.