Senator Linda Reynolds launches defamation proceedings against Brittany Higgins’ fiance David Sharaz
Former Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has launched defamation proceedings against David Sharaz, the fiance of Brittany Higgins.
Former Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has launched defamation proceedings against David Sharaz, the fiance of Brittany Higgins.
In documents lodged with the WA Supreme Court, Ms Reynolds alleges that Mr Sharaz defamed her in two tweets sent from his account.
In a statement released through her lawyers, the senator 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”.
“Mr Sharaz has been a constant participant in the trolling,” she added.
Ms Reynolds is demanding Mr Sharaz pay her aggravated damages plus interest at a rate of six per cent since the tweets were published.
Ms Higgins was working in Ms Reynolds’ Canberra office when she alleged she was raped.
In October last year, a jury hearing the criminal trial of Bruce Lehrmann was discharged after juror misconduct and a planned retrial was subsequently dropped by the prosecution. Mr Lehrmann consistently denied wrongdoing, insisting that no sexual conduct occured.
In 2021, Ms Reynolds apologised for calling Ms Higgins a “lying cow”, paid her legal costs and made a donation to a sexual assault charity.
Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz got engaged in Byron Bay in December.
