“That’s insulting”: Brittany Higgins grilled over "fabricated" allegations
Brittany Higgins has denied she lied when she accused Bruce Lehrmann of sexually assaulting her in Parliament House.
Higgins was called to give evidence on Thursday, as part of Lehrmann's defamation suit against Lisa Wilkinson and Channel Ten, when she was grilled during cross-examination by Lehrmann’s barrister Steven Whybrow SC.
“That is a fabrication that you were sexually assaulted,” Whybrow said.
“I understand that is your assertion. It’s insulting but I understand it,” Higgins replied.
Whybrow’s questioning revolved around how Higgins’ recollection of events changed between statements she gave to the police, in court, to journalists from Ten and a news website, and in the first draft of a book she sent to publisher Penguin Random House.
One example was that the location of a box of chocolates eaten after the alleged rape had changed between versions.
“I want to suggest to you that is an example of your evidence evolving as you find out new information,” Whybrow said.
“No, I don’t accept that,” Higgins answered.
She admitted giving incorrect statements to Wilkinson and Ten producer Angus Llewellyn during a five-hour interview conducted in January 2021, before she was filmed for bombshell The Project broadcast that first aired Brittany's story.
These claims, which included what security did and what she was wearing after the alleged rape, were based on her beliefs at the time, the court was told.
Lehrmann has also already given evidence in which he admitted to a number of lies and false statements he gave to police, Parliament House security, his employer and supervisor, and the media.
Lehrmann is suing Lisa Wilkinson and Channel Ten for defamation, specifically citing a February 2021 report on The Project in which Higgins was interviewed and her sexual assault story made national headlines.
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