Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann launches defamation proceedings
Bruce Lehrmann has launched defamation proceedings two months after the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions dropped a charge of rape.
Bruce Lehrmann has launched defamation proceedings against two media companies just months after the trial over allegations he sexually assaulted former colleague Brittany Higgins came to an abrupt end.
Mr Lehrmann, who pleaded not guilty to the charge and continually denied the allegation he sexually assaulted Ms Higgins in Parliament House in March 2019 has never been convicted of a crime.
The ACT Supreme Court trial came to an end in October 2022 after the jury was discharged following misconduct by a jury member.
The charge against the former Liberal staffer was dropped in December after the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions announced they would not be proceeding with a second trial due to concerns for Ms Higgins’ health.
Mr Lehrmann is now taking legal action against Network 10 and News Corp Australia’s News Life Media, which is the publisher of news.com.au, over coverage of Ms Higgins’ allegations in February 2021.
He filed the two lawsuits shortly after 3pm on Tuesday, which are understood to include statements of claim, originating application and genuine steps statements.
No mention or hearing dates have been listed.
As a result of new Federal Court rules, the statements of claim cannot be released by the court registry to the public at this stage.
News.com.au will be defending the matter.
Ms Higgins’ allegations were published for the first time in February 2021 by news.com.au, with an interview between Lisa Wilkinson and the former Liberal staffer airing on Network 10’s The Project that same evening.
Neither outlet named Mr Lehrmann in their coverage at the time.
The defamation proceedings come after Mr Lehrmann hired prominent defamation lawyer, Mark O’Brien, last year.
Mr O’Brien, whose law firm represents Ben Roberts-Smith VC in his defamation battle with Fairfax/Nine newspapers, confirmed in December that he had joined Mr Lehrmann’s legal team.