A court hearing will be held in July to decide whether sexual offence charges against former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife go to trial.
The Lagan Valley MP and his wife Eleanor were excused from attending a review of the case at Nerwy Magistrates Court this morning.
A lawyer for the public prosecution service told the court that the case is progressing "quite expeditiously".
Mr Donaldson is charged with rape and ten other historical offences involving two alleged victims who cannot be identified for legal reasons.
His wife, 58-year-old Eleanor Donaldson, faces four charges, including aiding and abetting.
Both deny the charges.
The case will be reviewed again on 12 June and a preliminary enquiry to establish that there is a case to answer will be heard on 3 July.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Mr and Mrs Donaldson will have to attend the July hearing in person.
Speaking to RTÉ News outside the court, a solicitor for Mr Donaldson said he strenuously denies the charges against him, and confirmed that his client will not seek re-election as an MP in the next British general election.
"As has already been widely reported for some weeks now the charges are strenuously contested, each of them," solicitor John McBurney said.
"There's nothing more that can be said in relation to those. We have to show due regard and deference to the court proceedings, which have primacy in all of this."
"I can indicate that it is not Jeffrey's intention of course to stand for re-election. He will be concentrating on the case and defending the charges," Mr McBurney added.
"He is continuing as the MP at the present time. There's various matters to be dealt, constituency matters and administrative matters to do with his offices and so forth. And that's really all that can be said at this stage."
