Brittany Higgins reacts as inquiry into Bruce Lehrmann trial announced

Brittany Higgins has responded to news of an inquiry into the Bruce Lehrmann rape trial after it was aborted over concerns for her mental health.

Brittany Higgins has issued a cryptic statement after news broke that the ACT government would move ahead with an inquiry into the aborted Bruce Lehrmann trial.

The ACT Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury and Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced the independent inquiry on Wednesday morning.

“Sunlight is the best disinfectant,” Ms Higgins said in a post to her 57.5k Instagram followers on Wednesday afternoon

The inquiry will consider whether the functions of criminal justice entities were “discharged with appropriate rigour, impartiality and independence”.

Brittany Higgins reacts to ACT inquiry into aborted trial. Picture Instagram

Mr Lehrmann, who was accused of sexually assaulting Liberal colleague Ms Higgins, pleaded not guilty to a single charge of sexual intercourse without consent and he continues to deny the allegation.

The charge against Mr Lehrmann was dropped by prosecutors earlier this month.

In a statement released by his legal team shortly after the announcement, on his behalf, Mr Lehrmann said he hoped the inquiry was in-depth.

“Mr Lehrmann welcomes an inquiry and hope the terms of reference will extend to an examination of all aspects of this matter, including decisions not to prosecute various individuals and the efforts taken by the DPP to ensure a fair trial,” the statement read.

An independent inquiry will look into the trial of Bruce Lehrmann. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Barr said a full inquiry was the most appropriate response given the “high-profile” nature of the trial and the “serious” allegations made.

“I want to make clear that this inquiry is not about revisiting the trial, any evidence in the trial or the outcome of the trial,” Mr Rattenbury said.

The inquiry will instead consider elements including the decision not to proceed to a retrial and the conduct of police investigators and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

It will also consider whether the support provided by the Victims of Crime Commissioner to Ms Higgins aligned with the relevant statutory framework and the legal framework for addressing juror misconduct.

Prosecutors dropped the case because of Brittany Higgins’ health. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The inquiry will be able to hold hearings – both public and private – issue search warrants, compel the production of documents, and compel the attendance of witnesses and take their evidence on oath.

ACT Policing, the DPP and Victims of Crime Commissioner have all indicated their intention to co-operate with the inquiry.

The ACT government has yet to identify an “eminent legal expert” to conduct the inquiry.

The terms of reference and key timeframes will be finalised in consultation with that expert in January 2023, and a final report is due by June 30.

Whether that report will be made public is a matter for the inquiry, Mr Barr said.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced the Inquiry on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Lehrmann was alleged to have raped Ms Higgins inside Linda Reynolds’ ministerial office at Parliament House after a night out drinking with work colleagues in March 2019.

He Lehrmann strenuously denied the allegation and denied ever having sex with Ms Higgins.

He faced trial earlier this year but the jury was discharged in October after misconduct of one of the jurors was uncovered.

Mr Lehrmann was scheduled to face a retrial in the ACT Supreme Court in February next year before the prosecution dropped the rape case against him due to the “unacceptable” risk to Ms Higgins’ life.