Bruce Lehrmann admits he did not tell truth in key texts aired in court

Bruce Lehrmann has been grilled over texts to his girlfriend in which he claimed he was told he could be “up for millions” after media aired Brittany Higgins’ allegations.

Bruce Lehrmann has been forced to concede he did not tell the truth in a series of key text messages, in which he alluded to being “up for millions”, sent on the night the media aired Brittany Higgins’ bombshell allegations.

Mr Lehrmann on Thursday stepped into the witness box in Sydney’s Federal Court as he seeks to sue two media companies over articles and broadcasts dated February 15, 2021.

His evidence before Justice Michael Lee marked the first time the former political staffer has spoken publicly. He was repeatedly accused by Channel 10 lawyers of being “caught out” over messages to his girlfriend and a friend.

Mr Lehrmann earlier this year launched defamation proceedings against Network Ten, as well as journalist Lisa Wilkinson, and News Life Media, owned by NewsCorp, as well as journalist Samantha Maiden.

However, the media companies are attempting to have the proceedings thrown out on the grounds Mr Lehrmann did not meet the one-year limitation period for defamation actions.

Bruce Lehrmann, pictured on Thursday, has brought defamation claims against Lisa Wilkinson and Network Ten, as well as News Corp and Samantha Maiden. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Bruce Lehrmann faced trial over the allegations, but proceedings were aborted due to juror misconduct, with the charges against him dropped. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Lehrmann is suing over the coverage of the allegations made by Ms Higgins in stories published on February 15, 2021 – stories which are now over two years old.

After pleading not guilty to sexually assaulting former colleague Ms Higgins, Mr Lehrmann stood trial in the ACT Supreme Court, before the trial was aborted due to juror misconduct.

The charges were subsequently dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Mr Lehrmann has continually denied any allegation he sexually assaulted Ms Higgins at Parliament House in March 2019.

Mr Lehrmann has argued he delayed bringing proceedings because of legal advice, the criminal proceedings and health issues.

Lawyers for the media companies on Thursday cross-examined Mr Lehrmann about a series of text messages, which they argue suggest he had engaged a defamation lawyer on the day the stories were published and broadcast.

“I recall I was outraged by the material I was seeing,” Mr Lehrmann told the Federal Court on Thursday.

Mr Lehrmann said he was ‘outraged’ after watching a broadcast interview about Ms Higgins’ allegations. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty Images

Mr Lehrmann said he engaged a criminal lawyer after reading Ms Maiden’s article, which broke the story, on February 15, 2021.

He said he watched The Project broadcast from his lawyer’s office that evening.

He testified that he was told by his lawyer he could not commence defamation proceedings until any criminal proceedings or police investigations were completed.

Lisa Wilkinson is defending the lawsuit. Picture Supplied.

Ms Wilkinson’s barrister, Sue Chrysanthou, told the court he said in messages to his girlfriend hours prior to Channel 10’s broadcast: “If I’m named tonight, he says I’m up for millions for defamation”.

Under cross-examination from Ten’s barrister Dr Matt Collins, Mr Lehrmann said the text was a fabrication of a conversation which he invented to “placate” his “distraught” girlfriend.

“I was placating (his girlfriend) given she was incredibly upset and distraught,” he said.

“What you were doing was sending contemporaneous messages to (his girlfriend) in the course of your meeting with Mr Korn on the evening of 15 February, 2021,” Dr Collins asked

“No, they were not contemporaneous,” Mr Lehrmann said.

“And I’ve caught you out, haven’t I,” Dr Collins said.

Mr Lehrmann said he could not recall the exact nature of his conversations with Mr Korn that evening and had been putting on a “brave face” for his girlfriend.

The case will be heard at the federal court in Sydney. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty Images

The court heard that Mr Lehrmann also kept a notebook containing a record of media articles and journalists he considered “unfriendly” and “friendly” as he briefly considered hiring a public relations expert and telling his side of the story.

He was also cross examined about text messages to a friend, who worked for a lobbying firm, in which he said he was “up for a bit of money” and that he had engaged two solicitors – one to act in a potential criminal matter and one to act in defamation proceedings.

Mr Lehrmann admitted he told his “mentor” he had engaged a defamation lawyer.

The court heard that in the same conversation, his friend also said: “I bet your lawyer is thanking me now” to which Mr Lehrmann responded “You have no idea”.

Dr Collins said the message suggested his friend referred him to a defamation law specialist given he had already engaged a criminal lawyer.

Mr Lehrmann maintained he did not engage a defamation lawyer on that occasion.

“Your evidence to his Honour is those messages which I’ve taken you to were all fabrications about non existent conversations with a non-existent lawyer,” Dr Collins said

“Yes,” Mr Lehrmann said.

The matter will return to court next week.