Senator Linda Reynolds’ parents break silence over brutal attacks on daughter

Senator Linda Reynolds’ parents have broken their silence about the brutal attacks their daughter endured after she was accused of covering up a young woman’s rape.

Senator Linda Reynolds’ parents have told the WA Supreme Court they were shattered by brutal attacks of their daughter. Picture: NewsWire / Sharon Smith

Senator Linda Reynolds’ parents have broken their silence over the brutal attacks on their daughter and how it has shattered their family.

The senator’s parents were due to give evidence on Wednesday, but the senator’s lawyer Martin Bennett insisted they provide written statements to the court instead.

Mr Bennett told the court that it took persistence to persuade them because they had wanted to give their evidence publicly, but it would have put strain on the senator’s mother Janice Reynolds.

Lawyer Martin Bennett is representing senator Linda Reynolds in her defamation case against Brittany Higgins. Picture: NewsWire / Sharon Smith

In her statement, Mrs Reynolds said she felt the need to know everything that was being said about her daughter and had read every word written about this “dreadful saga” no matter how much it hurt.

She said seeing their daughter “brutally attacked” in parliament and in the media had taken its toll on her and her husband.

“Knowing that if it was awful for us, how much worse it was for Linda,” she said.

“Every morning, I woke up with a sick feeling in my stomach.

“It was there every day and every night, never ending.”

Her father Laith Reynolds said all the events since 2021 were “shattering” and had caused him to worry daily.

Senator Reynolds’ mother Janice said she had read every word written about her daughter no matter how painful it was. Picture: NewsWire / Sharon Smith

Mr Reynolds said the attacks had caused great problems for his family and they had lost friends and acquaintances during this period.

He recalled the attacks on his daughter began in the Senate in 2021 when Senator Reynolds told her parents that a friend in the Labor Party, Kimberley Kitching, had warned her she was about to be attacked.

“I watched this attack on Linda go on for 18 months and Linda collapse in the Senate,” Mr Reynolds sai

On Thursday, the court will hear from the senator’s brother Andrew Reynolds, along with her former acting chief of staff Dean Carlson and Denita Wawn.

The trial continues.

Originally published as Senator Linda Reynolds’ parents break silence over brutal attacks on daughter