Linda Reynolds sues Brittany Higgins’ partner David Sharaz for defamation
Former Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has launched defamation proceedings against David Sharaz, the partner of Brittany Higgins, after two years of “highly distressing trolling”.
NSW
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Former Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has launched defamation proceedings against David Sharaz, the partner of Brittany Higgins, who in 2021 extracted an apology and costs from the WA senator after she called her former staffer a “lying cow”.
Vowing to vindicate her reputation after two years of online trolling Ms Reynolds accused Mr Sharaz “constant participant” of the attacks on her reputation.
Ms Reynolds has launched the proceedings in the WA Supreme Court, the same jurisdiction in which she is suing Australian Financial Review journalist Aron Patrick of a book he published recently about the Morrison Government.
In a statement released through her lawyers Senator Reynolds said that for “the best part of the last two years I have been the subject of harassing and highly distressing trolling on social media regarding myself and my conduct in respect of events concerning Ms Brittany Higgins which has damaged my reputation and caused me, my family and my staff, considerable stress and anguish.
She said “Mr Sharaz has been a constant participant in the trolling.”
Following the conclusion of the trial of Bruce Lehrmann on charges he raped Ms Higgins in Senator Reynolds’ office and the settlement of Ms Higgins lawsuit against the Commonwealth, Senator Reynolds said “I am now at liberty to take steps to vindicate my reputation and provide some truth to the matters the subject of these trolling comments.
In her writ, Ms Reynolds has said two tweets by Mr Sharaz were defamatory and is seeking damages.
The senator’s move to defamation plaintiff came after a 2021 move in which Ms Higgins’ lawyers wrote to Ms Reynolds warning they intended to sue her for “hurt and distress” caused by “malicious remarks” unless the minister makes a full public apology.
The then defence minister later apologised to Ms Higgins for calling her “a lying cow” and paid her legal costs.
She also agreed to make a donation to a sexual assault charity to end the matter.
During Lehrmann’s trial last year the court was told Senator Reynolds had texted his defence barrister seeking transcripts of Ms Higgins evidence in the trial.
She also suggested to the barrister that texts between Higgins and another of her former staffers may be “revealing”.
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