Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann will not face a second rape trial, after prosecutors dropped the case because of concerns the strain on complainant Brittany Higgins’ mental health presented a “significant and unacceptable” risk to her life.

Confirming the end of the road for the prosecution case on Friday, ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold, SC, took aim at what he said was an unprecedented “personal attack” on Ms Higgins.