Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has described his life has been like a “nuclear bomb going off” since being accused of raping colleague Brittany Higgins.
In his first television appearance since the allegations, Mr Lehrmann spoke with Seven Network’s Spotlight, again denying he raped Ms Higgins at Parliament House in 2019.
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“It is a metaphorical version of a nuclear bomb, or the world exploding before your eyes,’’ Mr Lehrmann said, describing the “dark day” of when the allegations first were made public on February 15, 2021.
Spotlight journalist, Liam Bartlett, began the interviewing asking Mr Lehrmann if he had raped Ms Higgins, to which he responded, “No. I didn’t. It simply didn’t happen”.
Mr Lehrmann revealed he has also not ruled out suing Ms Higgins personally for defamation.
He is currently suing Network 10 and its journalist Lisa Wilkinson for an interview with Ms Higgins on The Project, and the ABC for broadcasting a speech made by Ms Higgins at the National Press Club in early 2022.
Mr Lehrmann has just recently settled a claim against News Life Media and its journalist, Samantha Maiden.
He said his motivation to pursue the defamation cases was in attempt to reduce the impact the allegations have made on his reputation.
“I don’t want to be known as the guy who could have, would have, allegedly raped Brittany Higgins,” he said.
“That’s a tag that’s out there now, and I don’t have the court system to remove that tag anymore.”
This is the first time that Bruce Lehrmann has publicly responded to Brittany Higgins’ claims. We did not contact Ms Higgins for comment on this article as her version of events is well known and matters are still before the court.
If you, or anyone you know needs help with domestic and/or family violence, there are many resources available:
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
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