Seven producer Taylor Auerbach’s ‘delete’ claim about key Bruce Lehrmann documents

A Seven producer who has become a key player in the Bruce Lehrmann trial has alleged in an affidavit it was suggested to him that he delete key documents.

A former Seven Spotlight producer has alleged in an affidavit that it was suggested to him that he delete communications with Bruce Lehrmann as he becomes a central figure in the former political staffer’s defamation battle.

Taylor Auerbach, a former senior producer at Spotlight, was involved in two exclusive interviews with Mr Lehrmann but will now take to the witness stand on Thursday after Justice Michael Lee agreed to reopen Mr Lehrmann’s high-stakes defamation case against journalist Lisa Wilkinson and Network 10.

Mr Auerbach was on Wednesday afternoon spotted in Sydney’s eastern suburbs just hours after flying back from New Zealand.

He was photographed outside his Elizabeth Bay home as he prepares to become a key witness on Thursday, when he will be called to give evidence.

Network 10 successfully made an application to reopen its case after being provided with three affidavits by Mr Auerbach that concern documents allegedly provided by Mr Lehrmann to the program.

Former Seven Producer Taylor Auerbach has returned from New Zealand. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Appleyard

He will give evidence on Thursday in the Bruce Lehrmann defamation trial. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Appleyard

The Spotlight program broadcast material that was not previously in the public domain, including clips of a pre-interview meeting between Ms Wilkinson, Brittany Higgins, her fiance David Sharaz and a producer as well as Ms Higgins’ text messages with several people.

Mr Lehrmann has previously denied providing documents or photographs to the program. The former political staffer testified during the defamation trial that he only gave the network an interview.

Mr Lehrmann has denied breaching the “Harman undertaking”, which dictates that material produced in a court case cannot be used for other purposes.

Taylor Auerbach will appear in the Federal Court on Thursday as a witness. Picture: Sky News.

Bruce Lehrmann has denied providing documents to the Seven Network. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Mr Auerbach, in one of three affidavits tendered to the court, said Mr Lehrmann “provided me with other documents and information” including an AFP “statement of facts” from Mr Lehrmann’s criminal trial.

Mr Auerbach’s evidence has not been tested in court and he has not been cross-examined on the matter.

In his affidavit, Mr Auerbach alleged that he had “deleted most of the material in my possession concerning the applicant prior to leaving Seven at the request of (Spotlight executive producer Mark) Llewellyn and Seven’s lawyers”.

“The only material that has remained in my possession have been photographs on my phone or documents that had been saved to my iCloud,” Mr Auerbach said.

He said in his signed affidavit that he deleted material concerning Mr Lehrmann in the days prior to the interview going to air in June 2023.

“I was in Mark Llewellyn’s office at Seven in Eveleigh. He said to me, ‘I’ve just gotten off the phone to lawyers. I’ve decided to wipe all contact that I’ve had with Bruce and documents he gave me. I cannot tell you to do the same but it might be a good idea’,” Mr Auerbach said.

He also claimed that after the episode went to air he was told by the program’s lawyer: “I’ve heard that Ten and Lisa are not very happy about the broadcast and might come after us. It might be a good idea to have a look at everything, especially the raw interview tapes.”

Mr Auerbach said he “understood that this meant that I should delete any materials that could be damaging for Seven” and he “followed this direction and permanently deleted anything that I could find on my computer and phone”.

Journalist Lisa Wilkinson (right) with high-profile barrister Sue Chrysanthou. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Simon Bullard.

CCTV of Bruce Lehrmann and Brittany Higgins entering parliament. Picture: Supplied.

Seven said it was strongly challenging Mr Lehrmann’s claims, which are yet to be tested in court.

“Seven has never revealed its source or sources and has no intention of doing so. Seven notes Mr Lehrmann’s court testimony last year that he was not the source,” a Seven spokesperson said.

Mr Lehrmann sued Ms Wilkinson and Network 10 over Ms Higgins’ interview with The Project in February 2021 in which she alleged that she was raped by a former colleague inside Parliament House.

Mr Lehrmann was not named during the broadcast; however, he claims he was nonetheless identified.

He has denied having any sexual contact with Ms Higgins on that night.

Justice Michael Lee was due to hand down his judgment on Thursday; however, the court will now hear fresh evidence from Mr Auerbach on Thursday.

Originally published as Seven producer Taylor Auerbach’s ‘delete’ claim about key Bruce Lehrmann documents