Former federal Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann is taking the Australian Broadcasting Corporation to court, accusing it of defaming him by televising Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame’s National Press Club speech in February last year.

Mr Lehrmann filed a statement of claim with the Federal Court on Wednesday, alleging that by broadcasting the speeches – which he said accused him of raping Ms Higgins on a couch in Parliament House – “gave gravitas and credence” to the claims. Mr Lehrmann has denied the rape allegation.