Scott Morrison makes first public statement over Fiona Brown claims he misled Parliament

Scott Morrison says his recollection of his interactions with Linda Reynolds’ former chief of staff Fiona Brown ‘differed’ to hers.

Scott Morrison says he “rejects absolutely” any suggestion he intentionally misled parliament about the timeline of events relating to Brittany Higgins’ rape allegation, but he could not “fully discount” the recollections of the political staffer at the centre of the scandal.

The former prime minister told the chamber on Tuesday he had always sought to ensure “any statements I made to this House are accurate to the best of my knowledge and recollection at the time”.

But he acknowledged his recollection differed to his former director of ­operations, Fiona Brown.

Ms Brown told The Weekend Australian her former boss had misled parliament by falsely claiming he had spoken to her about Ms Higgins’ allegation.

Ms Brown, Linda Reynolds’ chief of staff at the time Ms Higgins alleges she was raped in the then defence minister’s office, claimed it was only after question time that Mr Morrison spoke with her, asking if she was OK and saying “we’ve spoken, haven’t we”.

Mr Morrison said he had taken the first opportunity to address Ms Brown’s allegation and denied any suggestion he deliberately misled the chamber.

“While my recollection differed to that of Ms Brown, given there have now been more than two years that have passed, and given the considerable activity of that week,” he said.

“While I believe my response to be accurate at the time I cannot fully discount her recollection of events with a more accurate one.

“However, I reject absolutely any suggestion of deliberate intent in any such possible inaccuracy in my response.”

Mr Morrison said he had “received numerous briefings and participated in numerous meetings” in relation to Ms Higgins’ allegation, and the publication of Ms Brown’s claims on the weekend marked the “first occasion I had been made aware Ms Brown had a different account”.

“Regardless of whether an exchange between myself and Mr Brown had occurred prior to providing my response in the House, my answer regarding Ms Brown’s conduct in relation to Ms Higgins … had been informed by detailed discussions with Ms Brown and members of my office, who were advising me on those matters.”

Mr Morrison also defended Ms Brown’s conduct after she became aware of Ms Higgins’ allegation.

“It was and remains my strong view Ms Brown did all she could to support Ms Higgins at that time and that most importantly Senator Reynolds had sought to ensure these issues were dealt with through the justice system, and supporting references to be made to the police,” he said. “While at the same time respecting Ms Higgins’ wish for confidentiality and thereby supporting her agency.”

Mr Morrison also said allegations of sexual violence should be addressed by the justice system and not “cynically prosecuted in the public square” as part of the political debate.

In her first interview, Ms Brown said her career was destroyed by Ms Higgins’ claim she had told Ms Brown she was raped in the ­minister’s office but was pressured not to report it.

She said senior members of the Prime Minister’s ­Office failed to support her after she was wrongly accused by Ms Higgins of failing to help her, a claim weaponised by Labor to ­attack Mr Morrison.