Bruce Lehrmann’s media adviser raided by NACC in probe over submarine deal files

John Magowan, the former media adviser for Bruce Lehrmann, has allegedly been raided by federal and NSW Police as part of an investigation into documents relating to the submarine deal.

John Macgowan and Bruce Lehrmann.

Federal and NSW Police have reportedly raided the home of Bruce Lehrmann’s former media adviser John Magowan, seizing three phones and a laptop.

Up to 20 National Anti-Corruption Commission officers and sniffer dogs carried out the dramatic raid as part of their investigation into a potential leak of documents related to the French submarine deal, news.com.au reported.

Mr Lehrmann claimed in testimony during his defamation trial against Channel 10 that he returned to Parliament House at 2am to work on briefs on the night Brittany Higgins claimed he raped her, on March 23, 2019.

Bruce Lehrmann, left, with John Macgowan, far right. Picture: NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The former political staffer said he was concerned about national security having left the question time documents relating to the since-abandoned French submarine deal on his desk.

It is alleged Mr Lehrmann took the top-secret files without permission and gave them to Mr Magowan to use, which they both strongly denied, dismissing the investigation as pure conspiracy theory.

The raid was carried out on Mr Magowan’s girlfriend’s home in Earlwood in June, with an AFP officer, two uniformed NSW police, 20 NACC officers and sniffer dogs trawling for documents.

A search warrant seen by news.com.au said investigators were searching for documents relating to the submarine deal, the Australian Defence Force, the Department of Defence, the Royal Australian Navy, or defence contractors including Thales and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.

Mr Magowan said he has volunteered to do an interview and is still awaiting the return of his possessions.