Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson is to appeal against his convictions after being found guilty of 18 sex offences.
Warning: This article contains details that some readers may find upsetting
The 63-year-old was found to have committed the crimes between 1985 and 2008, when the two victims were children.
He was convicted at Newry Crown Court in Northern Ireland last month of rape, 13 indecent assaults, and four counts of gross indecency.
Donaldson consistently denied the offences, calling them "simply not true" and "just unbelievable".
On Friday afternoon, his solicitor John McBurney confirmed that papers have been lodged for an appeal.
Donaldson is currently on remand at Maghaberry Prison in his former parliamentary constituency of Lagan Valley.
If granted, the appeal will be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast in the autumn. It is understood that Donaldson's legal team aim to have the convictions set aside.
The DUP is now carrying out an independent review - led by former senior police officer Jim Gamble - to establish what was known within the party about Donaldson's conduct.
The Northern Ireland Assembly has also begun a review into alleged abuse and inappropriate behaviour during Donaldson's time as a member of the legislative assembly (MLA) in Stormont from 2003 to 2010.
During his conviction, the former MP stood with his hands folded and showed no reaction.
The court also found that his wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, aided and abetted his crimes.
She faced a trial of the facts on mental health grounds which did not result in a criminal conviction.
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The two victims - referred to in court as Complainant A and Complainant B - offered accounts of the abuse, which started when they were both of primary school age.
During a police interview, Mrs Donaldson told officers that it was a "massive, massive shock".
Asked about the rape, she responded: "I would say that didn't happen. Absolutely not, oh my goodness."
(c) Sky News 2026: Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson to appeal against convictions for child sexual abuse and
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