Senator Linda Reynolds makes statement to police about Brittany Higgins allegations

The Senator who was scrutinised for her handling of the Brittany Higgins rape allegations has revealed she has given a statement to police.

Senator Linda Reynolds has given police a statement about the alleged rape of her former staffer Brittany Higgins and is “absolutely” prepared to be interviewed.

Senator Reynolds told the Nine network on Thursday night she has been assisting Australian Federal Police with their investigation into Ms Higgins alleged rape at Parliament House.

The assault allegedly occurred in Ms Reynolds’ office by another Liberal staffer in March, 2019.

Ms Reynolds said she had finalised her statement to police and when asked if she was prepared to be interviewed if asked, replied: “Absolutely”.

“I’m doing everything I can to assist the AFP inquiry into the matter,” she said.

“I’m very limited now in what I can say, because I am assisting the AFP with their investigation.”

Senator Reynolds earlier this year settled a defamation legal case with Ms Brittany Higgins and publicly apologised after calling her a “lying cow”.

Senator Linda Reynolds has given a statement to police about the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins.

She insisted later she was not referring to the rape allegation, but the account of how much support Ms Higgins was offered after the event.

Ms Reynolds had faced intense criticism over her handling of Brittany Higgins’ alleged rape in Parliament House — first reported by news.com.au in February this year.

The former defence minister went on medical leave in February on the morning of a planned address to the National Press Club, after being admitted to hospital to receive treatment for a pre-existing heart condition.

Liberal senator Linda Reynolds said she would assist the AFP with their investigations. Picture: APH via NCA NewsWire

It came a day after she was made to correct the record over incorrect claims she made to the Senate over the allegations, including that she had attended a meeting with police with Brittany Higgins.

“I’ve apologised publicly on a number of occasions and I’m sorry for what I said, I shouldn’t have said it and I’ve also financially settled now with Brittany, so I wish her well,” Senator Reynolds told the Nine network on Thursday.

Ms Reynolds was stripped of her defence portfolio in a cabinet reshuffle in late March, after several weeks of chaos and crisis within the government and has been appointed government services minister.