Brittany Higgins reacts to news that embattled Defence Minister Linda Reynolds was admitted to hospital

Brittany Higgins has responded to the news that Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has been admitted to hospital and is taking medical leave.

Brittany Higgins, a former media adviser who claims she was raped in Parliament House, has reacted to the news that Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has been admitted to hospital.

Ms Reynolds was admitted to hospital with a pre-existing medical condition and will take immediate medical leave.

It comes after 10 days of sustained pressure over her handling of the alleged rape in her office in 2019. She will now not front up to Parliament for the rest of the week.

“I genuinely hope (Ms Reynolds) is OK and wish her all the best with her recovery,” Ms Higgins wrote on Twitter.

Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins wished Defence Minister Linda Reynolds well as she recovers in hospital.

“Let’s just hope that from this whole horrible situation there will actually be some fundamental reform to the MOP(S) Act for vulnerable staff and improvements to the workplace culture in Parliament House.”

Last week Liberal Party staffer Ms Higgins alleged she was raped at Parliament House in Senator Reynolds’ ministerial office by a colleague in March 2019.

Ms Higgins claimed she felt forced to choose between reporting it to the police or keeping her job.

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Brittany Higgins has alleged she was raped in Parliament House.

Brittany is calling for fundamental reform to help vulnerable staff.

A spokeswoman for Senator Reynolds said this morning: “This follows advice from her cardiologist relating to a pre-existing medical condition.”

“As a precautionary measure, Minister Reynolds has this morning been admitted to a Canberra Hospital.

“The Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison, this morning phoned Minister Reynolds to express his concern and sympathy, and to wish her a quick recovery.”

Senator Reynolds’ hospital admission means she will not front the National Press Club today or Senate question time for the rest of the week.

Liberal senator Linda Reynolds has been admitted to hospital and is taking medical leave. Picture: APH via NCA NewsWire

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Last week Senator Reynolds broke down in tears in the Senate and was left unable to answer a question as the political fallout from the alleged rape in her office continued.

“It was only on the strongest medical advice that she took her decision,” Health Minister Greg Hunt said.

“This follows advice from her cardiologist relating to a pre-existing medical condition as a precautionary measure.

“I had some prior notification that she may have had an illness. I was not aware of the nature of it and, honestly, I think in this situation, we have to remind ourselves that this is the most intense, arguably, environment in Australia.

“There are many intense environments and all of us need to be aware of the pressures and pains, the impact of each of us on each other so reaching out and she is a good person and so she needs our support as she has our support.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne, will be acting Defence Minister until she returns.

More to come