Lisa Wilkinson wasn’t afraid to express her opinion after Brittany Higgins’ interview, and rape allegations were made against someone in the Australian Parliament. Read here to see what she said!
Lisa Wilkinson Sued for Defamation Over Brittany Higgins’ Rape Allegations Interview
Australian journalist Lisa Wilkinson is being sued for defamation over an interview she conducted with former political adviser Brittany Higgins in March 2021. During the interview, Higgins alleged that a colleague in a ministerial office in 2019 had raped her.
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The lawsuit, filed by a former parliamentary staffer, Bruce Lehrmann , claims that Wilkinson made false and defamatory statements during the interview.
Bruce Lehrmann Also Sues News Life Media Over Samantha Maiden’s Coverage
In addition to suing Lisa Wilkinson, Bruce Lehrmann has also launched legal action against News Life Media over an article written by journalist Samantha Maiden. The report, published on news.com.au, referred to Lehrmann as the alleged rapist and claimed he had left Parliament House shortly after the incident.
Lehrmann Alleges Wilkinson and Maiden Were “Recklessly Indifferent to The Truth”
According to the legal documents filed by Bruce Lehrmann, both Lisa Wilkinson and Samantha Maiden were “recklessly indifferent to the truth” when reporting on the allegations made by Brittany Higgins. Lehrmann claims that neither journalist attempted to verify the allegations before publishing them.
Lehrmann Denies Having Any Sexual Contact with Brittany Higgins
Despite being identified as the alleged rapist in multiple media reports, Bruce Lehrmann denies having sexual contact with Brittany Higgins. In his statement of claim, Lehrmann asserts that the false accusations have caused significant harm to his reputation and emotional well-being.
Wilkinson Files A Truth Defence and Points Finger at Colleagues for Fact-Checking
Lisa Wilkinson has filed a defense against the defamation lawsuit, arguing that her statements were factual and in the public interest. Wilkinson defends herself by noting the widespread media coverage of Brittany Higgins’ allegations before the interview. She also suggests that her colleagues at Network 10 were responsible for fact-checking the claims.
Higgins Indicates Willingness to Give Evidence at the Trial
Brittany Higgins has indicated that she will give evidence at the trial should it proceed. In a statement released through her lawyer, Higgins said that she stands by the allegations that she made and is prepared to provide evidence in court if necessary.
Wilkinson Trusts Colleagues’ Fact-Checking on Higgins’ Allegations
Lisa Wilkinson has stated that she believes an experienced team of news and current affairs professionals at Network 10 thoroughly investigated the allegations made by Brittany Higgins. In an interview with The Australian, Wilkinson said she reviewed the interview recordings and closely observed Higgins’ demeanor.
Wilkinson Reviewing Higgins’ Behavior and Recordings Before Broadcast
As part of her defense against the defamation lawsuit, Lisa Wilkinson has emphasized that she closely observed Brittany Higgins’ demeanor and reviewed the interview recordings before broadcast. Wilkinson has stated that she was satisfied that the allegations made by Higgins were credible and in the public interest.
Wilkinson’s Journalism Experience but Not Familiar with Defamation Law
Despite her extensive career in journalism, Lisa Wilkinson has admitted that she is unfamiliar with the specifics of defamation law. Wilkinson stated in an interview with The Australian that she relied on legal advice from her lawyers during the proceedings.
Wilkinson Still Employed by Channel 10 Despite Legal Action
Despite the ongoing legal action, Lisa Wilkinson remains employed by Network 10. Wilkinson hosts The Project, a nightly news and current affairs program in Australia.
Wilkinson Hires Her Legal Team Instead of Using Lawyers Supplied by Channel Ten
Lisa Wilkinson has reportedly hired her legal team to defend herself against the defamation suit rather than using lawyers supplied by Channel Ten. This move indicates Wilkinson’s intention to protect her reputation and report personally.
Lehrmann’s Identity Allegedly Exposed by Friends and Colleagues in Parliament House
Lehrmann has claimed that his friends, family, and former colleagues in Parliament House were able to identify him as the alleged rapist despite not being named in the TV interview or the online article. This suggests that the reporting may have caused significant harm to Lehrmann’s personal and professional life.
Lehrmann Suggests Wilkinson’s Motives
Lehrmann has also suggested that Wilkinson’s motive for airing the allegations could have been to further her career, stating that “Ms. Wilkinson may have had the motive to use this matter for her own professional or personal benefit, or the benefit of her employer.”
However, Wilkinson has denied these claims and maintains that her only intention was to report the truth.
Lehrmann Charged with Raping Higgins Six Months After Her Allegations Were Published
Lehrmann was charged with raping Higgins in June 2021, six months after she had gone public with her allegations. He has denied the claims and has been released on bail.
Lehrmann’s Rape Trial Was Aborted Due to Misconduct by A Member of The Jury
Lehrmann’s trial was aborted in September 2021 because a jury member allegedly contacted the victim on social media. The incident prompted the judge to discharge the entire jury and start the trial again with a new jury.
Prosecution Dropped the Matter Due to Concerns Over Higgins’ Mental Health
In October 2021, the prosecution announced it was dropping the rape charges against Lehrmann due to concerns over Higgins’ mental health. While Higgins was willing to testify, the prosecution argued that her mental health had deteriorated, so she could no longer provide reliable evidence.
Wilkinson Stepped Down from The Project in November 2021
Lisa Wilkinson announced her departure from The Project in November 2021 after co-hosting the show for over a decade. She cited the need for a “change in direction” and the desire to focus on new projects as the reasons for her departure.
Wilkinson Reportedly Still Being Paid a Seven-Figure Salary Due to Her Contract
Despite leaving The Project, Wilkinson is reportedly still being paid a seven-figure salary due to her contract with Network Ten. The terms of the agreement are confidential, but sources suggest that it includes a payout clause that would entitle Wilkinson to a significant sum of money if her contract is terminated early.
Wilkinson Resigns Due To “Targeted Toxicity” From Sections of The Media
In January 2022, Wilkinson announced her resignation from Network Ten, citing “targeted toxicity” from sections of the media as the reason for her departure. She expressed disappointment that the media landscape had become toxic and called for greater civility in public discourse.
