The accuracy and truth of a report by The Project on Brittany Higgins’ claims she was sexually assaulted in Parliament House will face another day of attack in court.
Journalist Lisa Wilkinson will return for a second day of questioning today as Bruce Lehrmann seeks damages from her and Network Ten over the allegedly defamatory news segment broadcast in February 2021.
In that interview, Higgins alleged Lehrmann pinned her down and raped her on the couch of their then boss Senator Linda Reynolds in March 2019.
Lehrmann has always denied the allegation, saying that no sexual contact or intimacy occurred.
Grilling Ten producer Angus Llewellyn and Wilkinson since Monday in the Federal Court, Lehrmann’s lawyers have suggested the report on The Project was poorly researched and Higgins’ claims were believed without proper analysis or investigation.
Lehrmann’s barrister Matthew Richardson SC has suggested Higgins used a “conspiratorial” tone in her interviews with The Project team which showed she was an unreliable witness.
This proposition was dismissed by Wilkinson on Thursday.
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She also rejected the barrister’s claims she was thrilled by the commercial appeal of their exclusive show instead of being interested in challenging Higgins’ allegations.
Both Wilkinson and Llewellyn have stood by their reporting and its accuracy as well as the behind-the-scenes steps they took to ensure what Higgins said was verified.
Lehrmann was charged in August 2021 over the alleged rape, but his trial in the ACT Supreme Court was derailed by juror misconduct.
Prosecutors did not seek a second trial, citing concerns for Higgins’ mental health.
Lehrmann is also before Queensland courts accused of raping another woman twice in Toowoomba in October 2021.
He has not entered a plea, but his lawyers have indicated he denies the charges.
