Brittany Higgins has confirmed she would be willing to give evidence in any potential defamation proceedings launched by the man she accuses of raping her.
Her former colleague Bruce Lehrmann has engaged a prominent defamation law firm following a prosecutor’s decision to drop the charges against him.
Mr Lehrmann faced criminal charges in the ACT over Ms Higgins’ alleged rape in a Parliament House office in 2019 and was due to face court for a retrial in February.
He denied the allegations and maintained the pair never had any sexual interaction. His first trial was derailed due to juror misconduct.
ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold announced he would not proceed with a second trial due to medical concerns about the impact it would have on Ms Higgins’ mental health.
Sydney law firm Mark O’Brien Legal confirmed it would act for Mr Lehrmann in “potential defamation proceedings” regarding public statements, broadcasts, articles and social media posts.
Ms Higgins took to Twitter on Wednesday, her 28th birthday, to respond to the reports.
“Following recent developments, I feel the need to make it clear if required I am willing to defend the truth as a witness in any potential civil cases brought about by Mr Lehrmann,” she said.
Last year’s Australian Of The Year Grace Tame posted a birthday message to Ms Higgins on Instagram and said she stood with the former Liberal Party staffer.
“Brittany Higgins has taken every step of her excruciating journey under a microscope; with a nation breathing down her neck. That is no mean feat,” Ms Tame said.
“I am not a judge or jury, but I am a person who has walked repeatedly in the line of fire – often alone – and it is not for the faint-hearted.
“However, it is not for this reason that I stand with Brittany … I stand with Brittany because I have compassion for her.”
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By Maeve Bannister in Canberra.
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