Bruce Lehrmann will appear in an explosive 7News Spotlight TV interview following a scathing injury about how police and prosecutors handled his rape trial after Brittany Higgins allegations
- Bruce Lehrmann will speak about scandal
- DPP Shane Drumgold resigns after leaked report
- ACT chief minister furious over leak
Bruce Lehrmann will give free rein to the handling of her rape case in an upcoming television interview following an explosive month-long investigation into the case.
The 839-page report by former judge Walter Sofronoff was formally released by the government on Monday, days after its scathing criticism of ACT Director of Public Prosecutions, Shane Drumgold, was widely described in the press.
The public inquiry was carried out to examine the conduct of police and prosecutors in the Lehrmann rape trial, held at the ACT High Court in October last year.
Brittany Higgins alleged that he raped her in Parliament when they were colleagues in 2019, which he strongly denies.
The first trial was adjourned due to a rogue jury, before the charge was dropped entirely due to Ms Higgins’ mental health.
Bruce Lehrmann has promised an explosive interview on Channel Seven following the fallout from his 2022 rape trial
At a news conference on Monday, the ACT chief minister criticized Sofronoff for “violating his good faith” by publishing the Board of Inquiry report early and sharing it with journalists.
Mr Lehrmann told Daily Mail Australia details of the full saga will be revealed soon.
“I have a lot to say after today’s press conference disaster, but I will wait until I sit down with Liam Bartlett again this Sunday on 7News Spotlight,” he said.
The interview will focus on Mr. Lehrmann’s upcoming legal action against ACT and his reaction to the results of the “damning” investigation into the man who unsuccessfully tried to prosecute him, Mr. Drumgold.
In the program announcement, Mr. Lehrmann says to the camera; “We knew they were being played, but not how badly.”
Meanwhile, Minister Barr revealed that he is examining what action to take against Sofronoff.
He admitted giving his report to two journalists, one at The Australian newspaper and one at ABC, under embargo, before the Australian government published the report.
The ACT chief minister criticized retired judge Walter Sofronoff (pictured) for “violating his good faith with me” by releasing his Board of Inquiry report into the Bruce Lehrmann trial prematurely.
Britanny Higgins accused Mr Lehrmann of raping her at Parliament House when they were both Liberal employees in 2019
Following the leak of a damning report into his conduct, Shane Drumgold resigned as ACT DPP
The media have refused to comment on their sources.
Minister Barr said he was “very clear” with Sofronoff that his report would not be redacted or suppressed in any way.
“He violated his good faith with me by releasing that report before giving it to whomever it was intended for under the law,” Barr said.
Asked if he would like to see Mr. Sofronoff charged, Mr. Barr said: “We are considering our options, as I have outlined.”
Barr said he had not received an apology from the retired judge.
“He has tried to give an explanation,” he added.
The ACT government has accepted eight of the 10 Board of Inquiry recommendations and has accepted two other issues in principle.
He considered it appropriate to prosecute the case, based on information available to ACT Policing and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Drumgold.
However, the report was scathing about Drumgold’s behavior during the trial.
He has since resigned.
