7 months, 3 weeks ago

Linda Reynolds defends calling Brittany Higgins a 'lying cow' as senator's lawyer accuses former political staffer of peddling 'exaggerated fiction'

Lawyers representing Liberal senator Linda Reynolds have told a court it was unfortunate she called former staffer Brittany Higgins a 'lying cow', but say it was defensible as she had a 'right of reply' when being defamed. Ms Higgins had been invited to Senator Reynolds' home and to other events, Mr Bennett told the court. Conspiracy and a cover-up Representing Senator Reynolds, Martin Bennett told the court there was a degree of 'sophistication and planning' by Ms Higgins to damage his client's reputation. Villain in the story Every fairytale needs a villain, and that's how Senator Reynolds had been cast by Brittany Higgins and her husband David Sharaz, Mr Bennett told the court in his opening statement. When she knew more about what happened on the night of the alleged rape, Mr Bennett said Senator Reynolds had been 'protective' of Ms Higgins.

France Rape Commonwealth Project Her Husband Whatsapp Reynolds Liberal Perth Senator Brittany His Client Her Claim Bennett Her Office Ms Brown Higgins Staffer Social Media Posts Linda Ms Reynolds David Sharaz Ms Higgins Sharaz Lehrmann Brittany Higgins Senator Reynolds Linda Reynolds Mr Bennett Mr Sharaz Mr Lehrmann Whatsapp Messages Court Told Her Rape Allegation Martin Bennett Fiction Lawyer fiction lawyer bennett court told staffer linda peddling higgins political lehrmann senators lying ms mr senator rape reynolds

History of this topic

5 months, 1 week ago

Brittany Higgins shows off blossoming baby bump as she awaits verdict in defamation trial

Daily Mail

Brittany Higgins has shown off her growing baby bump for the first time and revealed that she's having a baby boy. Brittany Higgins has showed off her baby bump in a picture to social media as she and her husband await a decision on a recent defamation trial She admitted it had been an 'acutely stressful' pregnancy while revealing she's …

7 months ago

What we've learnt from WA Senator Linda Reynolds's defamation action against Brittany Higgins

ABC

The blockbuster defamation action launched by Senator Linda Reynolds against her former staffer Brittany Higgins has now finished hearing evidence after three weeks of twists and turns. And her lawyer Ms Young has argued whatever damage Senator Reynolds says she suffered in 2021 "can have nothing to do with" Ms Higgins's posts made two years later, in 2023. Who harassed …

7 months ago

New lawsuit launched against Brittany Higgins to try and gain access to $2.4 million government settlement

ABC

Lawyers for Senator Linda Reynolds have launched a fresh lawsuit against Brittany Higgins in a bid to gain access to her $2.4 million federal government settlement, in the event she wins her high-stakes defamation trial. The writ, filed last month, shows the settlement money was placed into a trust within 24 hours of it being received by Ms Higgins, and …

7 months, 1 week ago

Brittany Higgins: Major twist in court battle with Linda Reynolds as former staffer drops health bombshell

Daily Mail

Brittany Higgins will not testify to defend herself at a defamation trial brought against her by former boss Senator Linda Reynolds. Ms Higgins' lawyer Rachael Young told the West Australian Supreme Court on Monday that her client, who is now pregnant, would not travel to Perth from her home in France to give evidence. Lawyers for Brittany Higgins told the …

7 months, 1 week ago

Brittany Higgins' rape claim threatened to DESTROY senator Linda Reynolds' political career, trial told

Daily Mail

Senator Linda Reynolds would have 'struggled' to get her name on the ballot for the next Federal Election, a senior figure in the Liberal Party WA branch has told a court. Senator Reynolds is suing her former staffer Brittany Higgins and her husband David Sharaz over a number of social media posts the pair made in 2022 and 2023. Senator …

7 months, 1 week ago

Brittany Higgins will not appear to give evidence in WA Supreme Court Linda Reynolds defamation trial

ABC

Brittany Higgins will not be called to give evidence in her own defence in the defamation trial brought against her by Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds. Scott Morrison’s robust court testimony for Linda Reynolds a reminder of a different era in politics Photo shows A digital composite image of Brittany Higgins, Scott Morrison and Linda Reynolds' faces. Despite being heralded as …

7 months, 1 week ago

Brittany Higgins' husband David Sharaz could have avoided facing financial ruin in a few simple steps. Now he is looking at a mammoth payout...

Daily Mail

Brittany Higgins' husband David Sharaz could have avoided facing financial ruin if he apologised to Linda Reynolds over two tweets and agreed to three other demands, legal documents show. Lawyers acting for Liberal senator Linda Reynolds sent Mr Sharaz a concerns notice - which is the first step in a defamation claim - on January 6, 2023, over two social …

7 months, 1 week ago

Liberal senator Linda Reynolds was 'rolled up in a ball' over Brittany Higgins allegations, court told

ABC

Senator Linda Reynolds consistently received "dirty looks", stopped going out in public and feared her career was over after being accused of failing to support an alleged rape victim, her best friend has told a WA court. Ms Wawn described Senator Reynolds as in a "high state of distress" and the worst she had seen her since being discharged from …

7 months, 1 week ago

Linda Reynolds v Brittany Higgins defamation trial: Linda Reynolds' mum launches extraordinary attack on Lisa Wilkinson in testimony about Brittany Higgins' The Project interview

Daily Mail

Senator Linda Reynolds' parents have broken their silence, giving emotional testimony on how the aftermath of Brittany Higgins' rape allegation sparked 'brutal attacks' on their once 'universally loved and respected' daughter. Janice and Laith Reynolds provided written testimony to the WA Supreme Court on Wednesday, as their daughter's blockbuster defamation trial against Ms Higgins continues. Senator Linda Reynolds' mother, Janice, …

7 months, 2 weeks ago

Scott Morrison’s court appearance a reminder of turbulence of 2021 and his government’s perceived problem with women

ABC

If a week is a long time in politics, six months is an epoch. But all that time seemed to disappear in a nanosecond when the former member for Cook took the stand in WA's Supreme Court on Tuesday via video link as a witness in Linda Reynolds's defamation case against her former staffer Brittany Higgins. Having been called as …

7 months, 2 weeks ago

Linda Reynolds's parents tell of being shunned by friends, daughter branded a monster after Brittany Higgins claims

ABC

Linda Reynolds’s parents say they were shunned by friends and their daughter vilified as “some kind of monster” in the wake of Brittany Higgins’s bombshell 2021 interview that included claims the former defence minister failed to support her in the aftermath of her rape allegation. Laith and Janice Reynolds told the WA Supreme Court they were stunned and devastated by …

7 months, 2 weeks ago

Former prime minister Scott Morrison appears at WA senator Linda Reynolds's, Brittany Higgins's defamation trial

ABC

Former prime minister Scott Morrison has denounced what he labelled the "weaponising" of Brittany Higgins's rape allegation by Labor, saying it left his former defence minister in such a distressed state he was concerned it could be fatal for her. Mr Morrison is giving evidence via video link in the defamation trial brought by Liberal senator Linda Reynolds against Ms …

7 months, 2 weeks ago

Brittany Higgins' defamation trial hears evidence of sharp decline in Senator Linda Reynolds' health

ABC

Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds's partner has testified her cardiologist thought she could die after she collapsed in the senate following intense pressure over her handling of Brittany Higgins' rape allegation. Senator Reynolds maintains both pieces contained "false allegations" and "lies" by Ms Higgins about her handling of the alleged sexual assault, in Senator Reynolds's ministerial suite at parliament house. First …

7 months, 2 weeks ago

The Linda Reynolds and Brittany Higgins case offers a personal glimpse into the emotional toll of politics

ABC

Politics is a dirty game. First two days set tone for Reynolds, Higgins defamation trial Photo shows A composite image of close-up shots of Senator Linda Reynolds and Brittany Higgins side by side. Linda Reynolds denies diminishing Brittany Higgins' alleged rape complaint in defamation trial Photo shows Woman with fair hair and man with grey hair stand together in formal …

7 months, 2 weeks ago

Linda Reynolds v Brittany Higgins defamation trial LIVE updates: Day Five

Daily Mail

Linda Reynolds' cross-examination will continue in the WA Supreme Court on Thursday at 10.30am local time, 12.30pm AEST. Ms Higgins accused Ms Reynolds of making her choose between her career and pursuing her rape complaint with police and believes the Liberal party tried to cover up her rape. Ms Reynolds has continually denied forcing Ms Higgins to choose between her …

7 months, 3 weeks ago

Linda Reynolds shares anger over Brittany Higgins's pre-production tapes for Channel 10's The Project interview

ABC

Liberal MP Linda Reynolds has told the West Australian Supreme Court of the moment she realised the extent of what she claims was a "pre-planned" and "pre-meditated" attack to inflict maximum damage on her by Brittany Higgins and her now husband David Sharaz. 'It was personal' Senator Reynolds' lawyer Martin Bennett questioned her in court today about the moment she …

7 months, 3 weeks ago

New Brittany Higgins social media posts prompt defamation trial warning from Linda Reynolds's lawyer

ABC

The high-profile defamation trial against Brittany Higgins has taken another twist, with Senator Linda Reynolds's lawyer declaring new social media posts published yesterday were part of a coordinated plan to mislead the public into thinking the Senator was trying silence survivors of sexual assault. Senator Reynolds told the court Senator Kitching warned her the Labor Party knew about Ms Higgins' …

7 months, 3 weeks ago

How the first two days in court have set the tone for the rest of Linda Reynolds's defamation trial against Brittany Higgins

ABC

Brought into public hatred, scandal, odium and contempt. That was clearly illustrated on day one, when the senator's lawyer Martin Bennett said Ms Higgins and her partner David Sharaz had cast Senator Reynolds in the role of villain "for their fictional story of political cover-up of the rape". Martin Bennett said Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz cast Linda Reynolds as …

7 months, 3 weeks ago

Linda Reynolds's defamation action against Brittany Higgins 're-traumatising', trial told

ABC

Senator Linda Reynolds's defamation case against her former staffer Brittany Higgins, and her lawyer's claim that the younger woman had sought a "villain" for her "fairytale" story were "harassing and re-traumatising", the WA Supreme court has heard. She said by April 1 Senator Reynolds had a "mountain of evidence" to show that a sexual assault had taken place, even though …

7 months, 3 weeks ago

Brittany Higgins, Linda Reynolds's defamation trial continues in WA Supreme Court

ABC

That's where we will leave our coverage of day two of the defamation trial between Linda Reynolds and Brittany Higgins. Monday saw the opening arguments from Ms Higgins' lawyer Rachael Young, and the beginning of Linda Reynolds' evidence, during which she was quizzed by her lawyer Martin Bennett on her professional history. Next Monday we are expected to hear from …

7 months, 3 weeks ago

What we learned from the first day of Linda Reynolds' defamation trial against Brittany Higgins

ABC

Brittany Higgins and her partner David Sharaz painted Senator Linda Reynolds as the "villain" in their story of "a rape and a fictional cover-up", the WA Supreme Court has been told. "Every fairytale needs a villain" and Ms Higgins cast WA Senator Linda Reynolds in that role, her defence lawyer Martin Bennett told the court in his opening address on …

7 months, 3 weeks ago

Defamation trial between Linda Reynolds, Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz begins in Perth

ABC

One of the main allegations Ms Higgins made against Senator Reynolds was that she did not support her in the wake of her alleged rape. Mr Bennett said the images depicted Ms Higgins as a "young, vivacious doorknocker, campaigning". Commenting on her experience during ANZAC Day events, Ms Higgins remarked: "A beautiful homage to the Aussie spirit and a day …

7 months, 3 weeks ago

Defamation action launched by WA Senator Linda Reynolds against Brittany Higgins, David Sharaz to start in Perth

ABC

There can't be many Australians unaware of former political staffer Brittany Higgins's claim she was raped by her colleague Bruce Lehrmann in the Parliament House office of their boss, Senator Linda Reynolds. Senator Reynolds took offence at a series of social media posts by Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz published in 2022 and 2023 critical of the way the rape …

8 months, 1 week ago

WA Senator Linda Reynolds wins legal bid to gain access to details of Brittany Higgins's protective trust

ABC

Senator Linda Reynolds has won the right to access details of a protective trust into which her former staffer Brittany Higgins put her $2.4 million compensation settlement with the Commonwealth, potentially allowing the money to be used to settle defamation action. Today's ruling means Senator Reynolds can now apply for the trust to be overturned, making the money available to …

9 months, 1 week ago

Former prime minister Scott Morrison revealed as witness in Linda Reynolds's defamation case against Brittany Higgins

ABC

Former prime minister Scott Morrison may be among those called to testify as a witness at the defamation trial Senator Linda Reynolds has brought against her ex-staffer Brittany Higgins, a Perth court has heard. Linda Reynolds welcomes Brittany Higgins's 'olive branch', but says she will continue with trial Photo shows Senator Linda Reynolds smiles as she is interviewed outside court. …

10 months ago

The wedding gift Brittany Higgins didn't want: Inside the insane legal costs David Sharaz will have to cover as he bows out of defamation case with his fiancée's former boss Linda Reynolds

Daily Mail

David Sharaz faces financial ruin after a judge ordered him to pay Linda Reynolds' legal costs, along with damages and interest, after he bows out of the defamation case against him. Senator Reynolds launched two defamation proceedings in the WA Supreme Court against Mr Sharaz and his fiancé, Brittany Higgins, over social media posts published in 2022 and 2023 that …

10 months ago

Linda Reynolds and Brittany Higgins mediation talks unsuccessful - with defamation case set to go to trial

Daily Mail

A pair of high-profile defamation cases pitting Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds against her former political staffer Brittany Higgins and her fiance are likely to head to trial after mediation talks were unsuccessful. David Sharaz is pictured with Brittany Higgins outside the WA Supreme Court in March Linda Reynolds is pictured with her lawyer Martin Bennett outside the court in March …

10 months, 1 week ago

Linda Reynolds says she's been the victim of 'vile trolling' over Brittany Higgins case as defamation trial looms

ABC

In short: Senator Linda Reynolds says she's been vilified and trolled over accusations she was involved in a cover-up surrounding Brittany Higgins' rape at Parliament House. Senator Linda Reynolds says she's been vilified and trolled over accusations she was involved in a cover-up surrounding Brittany Higgins' rape at Parliament House. On her way into Tuesday's hearing in Perth, Senator Reynolds …

10 months, 3 weeks ago

Senator Linda Reynolds breaks her silence over bitter legal war with Brittany Higgins - as her lawyers mock fiance David Sharaz and warn he faces financial ruin

Daily Mail

Ms Higgins' fiancé urged her to drop the matter on Tuesday Linda Reynolds has pledged to pursue her defamation case against Brittany Higgins, despite an impassioned plea from the former staffer's fiancé David Sharaz to drop the matter. Senator Reynolds launched two defamation proceedings in the WA Supreme Court against Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz over social media posts published …

10 months, 4 weeks ago

Brittany Higgins fails in bid to delay defamation trial brought by Senator Linda Reynolds

ABC

In short: Brittany Higgins' legal team has failed in its bid to get a defamation trial brought by Senator Linda Reynolds delayed. Brittany Higgins' legal team has failed in its bid to get a defamation trial brought by Senator Linda Reynolds delayed. Linda Reynolds welcomes Brittany Higgins's 'olive branch', but says she will continue with trial Photo shows Senator Linda …

11 months ago

The Bruce Lehrmann defamation verdict is in, but Brittany Higgins and Linda Reynolds are still fighting

ABC

While all eyes have been on the explosive failed defamation case brought by Bruce Lehrmann against Channel 10 and journalist Lisa Wilkinson, another legal drama has been playing out in Western Australia's Supreme Court. Senator Linda Reynolds is suing her former political staffer Brittany Higgins and Ms Higgins's partner David Sharaz for defamation over a series of social media posts …

11 months, 1 week ago

Linda Reynolds welcomes Brittany Higgins's 'olive branch', but says she will continue with defamation trial

ABC

In short: Senator Linda Reynolds has welcomed her former staffer Brittany Higgins's apology to her and Fiona Brown. Senator Linda Reynolds has welcomed her former staffer Brittany Higgins's apology to her and Fiona Brown. Senator Linda Reynolds has welcomed Brittany Higgins's "olive branch" but says she will continue with her defamation proceedings against her if she does not accept Justice …

11 months, 1 week ago

Brittany Higgins breaks her silence with a blistering statement after a judge found Bruce Lehrmann raped her in Parliament House

Daily Mail

Brittany Higgins has broken her silence with a powerful statement after a federal court judge ruled that she was raped by Bruce Lehrmann. Justice Michael Lee on Tuesday ruled that Bruce Lerhmann had raped Brittany Higgins, saying he been 'hellbent' on having sex with his former colleague Brittany Higgins has broken her silence with a powerful statement after a judge …

11 months, 1 week ago

Linda Reynolds says Lehrmann defamation judgement 'set record straight' on claims of cover-up

ABC

In short: Senator Linda Reynolds says she is pleased Justice Michael Lee found the former Coalition government did not attempt to hide Brittany Higgins's rape claim. Senator Linda Reynolds says she is pleased Justice Michael Lee found the former Coalition government did not attempt to hide Brittany Higgins's rape claim. Liberal senator Linda Reynolds has responded to the Federal Court's …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Brittany Higgins was handed $2.4million over claims that have never been proven. Now an Albanese government minister has made a staggering admission

Daily Mail

Barnaby Joyce has lashed out at the Albanese government after he forced a minister to admit that no military veteran has received as much compensation as Brittany Higgins for injuries or impairment since Labor took office. Ms Higgins, a former political staffer, received a $2.4million compensation payout from the Federal Government in December 2022, ten days after the ACT's top …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

Defamation case involving Linda Reynolds and Brittany Higgins set for trial after mediation talks collapse

ABC

In short: Senator Linda Reynolds is suing her former staffer Brittany Higgins and her partner David Sharaz for defamation. Senator Linda Reynolds is suing her former staffer Brittany Higgins and her partner David Sharaz for defamation. An attempt at peace talks to avert a costly defamation trial brought by Liberal senator Linda Reynolds against her former staffer Brittany Higgins has …

1 year ago

Linda Reynolds wins an eye-watering payout in the latest fallout in the Bruce Lehrmann and Brittany Higgins rape trial saga - as she prepares to come face-to-face with her ex-employee in bombshell hea

Daily Mail

She is also suing Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz for defamation Former DPP accused her of interfering with rape investigation Linda Reynolds has been awarded $90,000 by the ACT government over comments made by the territory's top prosecutor amid Brittany Higgins' rape allegations. The Liberal senator launched defamation proceedings against the ACT government and former Director of Public Prosecutor Shane …

1 year, 3 months ago

Fiona Brown: Key witness rips into Brittany Higgins' claims that led to her being handed $2.4million taxpayer-funded compensation

Daily Mail

Brittany Higgins' former boss has taken aim at claims the ex-political staffer made against her that led to her securing her $2.44million compensation settlement. Fiona Brown was Bruce Lehrmann and Ms Higgins' boss in March 2019, when she was interim chief of staff to then-defence industry minister Linda Reynolds. Brittany Higgins' former boss has scrutinised her $2.44million compensation settlement Fiona …

1 year, 3 months ago

Brittany Higgins's former chief of staff Fiona Brown allowed to give evidence in closed court session

ABC

The former political staffer to whom Brittany Higgins says she first disclosed her rape allegation has been allowed to give evidence in a closed session this afternoon, as part of Bruce Lehrmann's defamation case against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson. Key points: Bruce Lehrmann is suing Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson for defamation over coverage of Brittany Higgins's rape allegation …

1 year, 3 months ago

Lisa Wilkinson's objectivity questioned in court after revelation she accused Linda Reynolds of 'lying through her teeth'

ABC

Lawyers for former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann have challenged veteran journalist Lisa Wilkinson's objectivity, after a text message in which she accused his then-boss Senator Linda Reynolds of "lying through her teeth" was revealed to the Federal Court. Key points: Lisa Wilkinson is facing a second day of cross-examination in the defamation action She says she trusted Network Ten's legal …

1 year, 3 months ago

Bruce Lehrmann, Brittany Higgins defamation trial LIVE: Lisa Wilkinson addresses Brittany Higgins' 'far-fetched conspiracy' theory - and admits key question she didn't ask her before airing rape alleg

Daily Mail

Lisa Wilkinson has been on the witness stand for less than three hours and has already made a raft of admissions. Wilkinson told the court she didn't think viewers would listen to her speech and deduce that Ms Higgins' rape allegations were true because she can't read viewers' minds. Mr Lehrmann's barrister pointed her to transcripts of conversations she had …

1 year, 3 months ago

Supporting witnesses to be called in Bruce Lehrmann's defamation action now that Brittany Higgins's cross-examination is complete

ABC

After more than four days in the witness box, Brittany Higgins has concluded her evidence to the Federal Court, in a defamation trial brought by Bruce Lehrmann over an interview with Ms Higgins on The Project. Key points: Brittany Higgins was cross-examined by Bruce Lehrmann's lawyers for three days during her four days in the witness box Ms Higgins is …

1 year, 3 months ago

Brittany Higgins details alleged rape as part of her testimony in Bruce Lehrmann's defamation action against Network Ten, Lisa Wilkinson

ABC

Brittany Higgins has become emotional as she testified to the Federal Court about her alleged rape at Parliament House in 2019. Key points: Bruce Lehrmann is suing Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson over coverage of Brittany Higgins's rape allegation Ms Higgins took to the witness box in the Federal Court to give details about the alleged rape She says …

1 year, 7 months ago

David Sharaz: Warning issued for Senator Linda Reynolds who is suing Brittany Higgins' fiance over series of social media posts: 'Will end in tears'

Daily Mail

The lawyer for the fiance of former political staffer Brittany Higgins has told the WA Supreme Court a defamation case against his client will 'end in tears financially,' with legal costs potentially reaching millions of dollars. The matter is set to go to trial in May, with lawyers for both Senator Reynolds and Mr Sharaz meeting before Supreme Court Justice …

1 year, 7 months ago

Linda Reynolds sues Brittany Higgins for defamation

Daily Mail

Senator Linda Reynolds is suing Brittany Higgins for defamation over two social media posts that she claims were defamatory and breached a deed of settlement and release they signed in March 2021. Senator Linda Reynolds has confirmed that she has commenced defamation and breach of contract proceedings against Brittany Higgins over two social media posts. Previously, Senator Reynolds had also …

1 year, 7 months ago

Linda Reynolds 'has had enough' as she personally sues Brittany Higgins after an Instagram post and Tweet: 'The target of criticism and abuse'

Daily Mail

Senator Linda Reynolds is suing Brittany Higgins for defamation over two social media posts which accused her of harassment - claiming she's 'had enough' of being targeted in pointed social media posts. Linda Reynolds is suing Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz for defamation over social media posts 'I confirm that after issuing Ms Higgins with a concerns notice and receiving …

1 year, 8 months ago

Linda Reynolds threatens to sue Brittany Higgins over furious Instagram post

Daily Mail

Senator Linda Reynolds has confirmed she is threatening to sue her former staffer Brittany Higgins after the ex-defence minister said she'd 'had enough' and would not be defamed by her. On Thursday Ms Higgins posted to Twitter: 'I've just received a concerns notice from Linda Reynolds threatening defamation over an Instagram story. Brittany Higgins has received a concerns notice from …

1 year, 9 months ago

Katy Gallagher cracks: Finance Minister's show of emotion over Brittany Higgins, David Sharaz

Daily Mail

Katy Gallagher has finally appeared to crack under the onslaught of Liberal criticism and questions about Brittany Higgins' sexual assault allegations. Katy Gallagher's voice finally quivered toward the end of Thursday's Senate session in response to a question raised by Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie. On Wednesday, Ms Gallagher admitted she forgot she received an invitation to Higgins' partner David Sharaz's …

2 years, 5 months ago

Read texts ex-minister Linda Reynolds sent Bruce Lehrmann's lawyer in Brittany Higgins rape trial

Daily Mail

In April 2019, Ms Higgins told her boss she couldn't remember what happened Linda Reynolds is pictured outside court on Monday Former defence minister Linda Reynolds sent text messages to Bruce Lehrmann's defence lawyer asking for transcripts of Brittany Higgins' cross-examination, a court has heard. Brittany Higgins claims Bruce Lehrmann raped her in Linda Reynolds' parliamentary office in Canberra in …

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