Brittany Higgins breaks silence

Brittany Higgins has finally spoken out regarding the prolonged legal battle with her former employer, Senator Linda Reynolds, after the defamation case details were made public.

Senator Reynolds is suing the ex-Liberal staffer for defamation, asserting that multiple social media posts damaged her reputation.

The posts by Ms. Higgins and her husband, David Sharaz, allegedly implied that Senator Reynolds was involved in a political cover-up concerning Ms. Higgins’ alleged rape at Parliament House.

According to documents obtained by The Australian, Senator Reynolds has amended her claim to include allegations of tortious conspiracy against Ms. Higgins.

Senator Reynolds contends that Ms. Higgins “acted maliciously” when she and her husband created the social media posts, with the intent to harm both her and the federal government.

Speaking out for the first time, a spokesperson for Ms. Higgins stated on Tuesday that she remains firm in her “truth” about the events following her alleged rape in Parliament House.

“She is being forced back into the courtroom for the third time to address these distressing events,” the spokesperson added.

Earlier this year in the Federal Court, Justice Michael Lee determined, on the balance of probabilities—a civil standard different from a criminal standard—that Ms. Higgins was raped.

This conclusion came after legal action taken by Mr. Lehrmann against Network 10 and journalist Lisa Wilkinson over a 2021 report on The Project program regarding the alleged rape.

Mr. Lehrmann is currently appealing this decision.

Justice Lee also found that claims of a political cover-up involving Senator Reynolds and others were unfounded, a decision Senator Reynolds said vindicated her.