Reynolds finalises statement to AFP on Higgins allegations, harbours no ill will to former staffer

Linda Reynolds has given her first televised interview since labelling Brittany Higgins a ‘lying cow’, saying she harbours no ill will towards the alleged rape victim.

Linda Reynolds has revealed fresh details on an AFP probe into the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

Linda Reynolds has finalised a statement to the AFP as part of an investigation into the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins, and insists she harbours no ill will to towards her former staffer.

In her first televised interview since labelling Ms Higgins a “lying cow”, the new NDIS Minister offered well wishes to her former staffer, who alleges she was raped by a colleague in the senator’s parliamentary office in 2019.

Ms Higgins said she felt forced to choose between her job and filing a police report detailing the alleged rape, while Ms Reynolds faced heavy scrutiny over her handling of the allegation, which is now the subject of an AFP probe.

But after returning from medical leave to her new portfolio, Senator Reynolds said she had finalised a statement for the AFP and was open to being interviewed by police.

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Linda Reynolds has finalised a statement for the AFP over the Brittany Higgins rape allegation. Picture: APH via NCA NewsWire

“It was never about me. It wasn’t about me then and it’s not about me now. My focus now is all about the NDIS,” Senator Reynolds told Nine News.

She broke down while answering questions on the allegation during senate question time in February, before citing a heart condition to take a leave from work.

But she claimed she was “fighting fit” and had received “great support” from her doctors and colleagues.

“I think it was an incredibly difficult time for many people, given the subject matter,” she said.

“One of the things I’ve rediscovered in this job is that even when we become politicians, we’re not immune to human illnesses and conditions. So it was a very solitary reminder to me that in my case, my heart health is important.”

Senator Reynolds’ leave was extended after revelations she had labelled Ms Higgins a “lying cow” in front of staff, the comment prompting a defamation case that was settled out of court.

The minister would not reveal whether the remark was directed at Ms Higgins specifically, but insisted she harboured no ill-will towards her.

“I am sorry for what I said. I shouldn’t have said it. I’ve also financially settled now with Brittany, so I wish her well,” she said.

Just to clarify, all funds received above my legal costs went directly to a sexual assault organisation in Canberra.

Implying anything else is pretty disingenuous. https://t.co/npLfMeVvRL

— Brittany Higgins (@BrittHiggins_) May 13, 2021

Ms Higgins took to Twitter to reiterate the funds she received went to a Canberra-based organisation supporting sexual assault survivors.

She last month met with Scott Morrison to discuss her allegation, after the prime minister conceded the system had let her down.

She said the pair had held a “robust” discussion, but she was “encouraged” by the prime minister’s apparent understanding of the situation.

“There needs to be better safeguards for staffers, whether there are power dynamic issues (between) parliamentarians and individual staffers,” she said.

“We also had a robust discussion about the need for an independent authority about human resources.”