Bruce Lehrmann discontinues defamation action against News Life Media

Bruce Lehrmann has discontinued his defamation action against News Corp’s News Life Media.

Brittany Higgins and Bruce Lehrmann.

Bruce Lehrmann has discontinued his defamation action against News Life Media and news.com.au’s national political editor Samantha Maiden.

Earlier this year, Mr Lehrmann launched defamation action against News Corp’s News Life Media, publisher of news.com.au, and Maiden as well as Network 10 and its presenter Lisa Wilkinson.

In regard to news.com.au, he claimed two articles defamed him in their reportage of allegations by Brittany Higgins that she was raped in Parliament House in March 2019.

Mr Lehrmann was not named in these reports but claims he was nevertheless able to be identified by them.

Bruce Lehrmann outside court in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Lehrmann and News have reached an out-of-court settlement. News.com.au editor-in-chief Lisa Muxworthy said the two articles at the centre of the dispute remain online and have been updated with an editorial note. There is no apology or correction.

Muxworthy also said no damages were paid to Mr Lehrmann. A contribution has been made to his legal costs following his successful application to the Federal Court to extend the limitation period to launch defamation action.

Muxworthy said news.com.au stands by the reporting which examined how Ms Higgins’ allegation was handled by political leaders and institutions and the fallout that followed.

“We thank Ms Brittany Higgins for telling her story and for all that she has endured in making that choice to improve the system for complainants,” she said.

“We will continue to report on the general issues surrounding sexual assault allegations, our justice system and how to improve that system for men and women.”

“We continue to stand by the Australian women and men who sparked a national reckoning in the wake of this important story to drive change, reform and debate about our justice system.”

Brittany Higgins outside court in Canberra. Picture: Martin Ollman/Getty Images

A criminal charge of sexual assault was brought against Mr Lehrmann but the trial was aborted due to juror misconduct, and a planned re-trial was later abandoned.

Mr Lehrmann has always denied the accusations against him.

Originally published as Bruce Lehrmann discontinues defamation action against News Life Media