Key PointsEx-Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann sues Community Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson over a February 2021 report on The Venture.Lehrmann describes being “severely remoted” and going through social media backlash.The legal trial over Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations towards Lehrmann was derailed attributable to juror misconduct.
Mates dropped out of group chats and lower off contact with ex-Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann after Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations aired in a high-profile TV interview.
The previous federal Liberal staffer rejected the allegation he raped Ms Higgins in a Parliament Home workplace whereas giving proof underneath oath for the primary time on Thursday.
Lehrmann is suing Community Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson within the Federal court docket over a February 2021 report on The Venture that featured .
The regulation pupil informed the court docket he was ostracised by mates and blocked and unfriended on social media after the rape allegations aired, regardless of the very fact he was not named within the TV report.
Lehrmann mentioned after The Venture broadcast a pink “eject” button was posted in a Fb chat. Supply: AAP / Federal Court docket of Australia
Lehrmann mentioned following The Venture broadcast somebody posted a picture of a pink “eject” button in a Fb chat with Nationals state and federal staffers earlier than each different member of the group left.
A screenshot of the group chat and the “eject” message have been launched amongst a sequence of displays by the court docket.
Different screenshots present two different folks leaving a unique Fb messenger group.
Lehrmann was additionally faraway from a bunch chat referred to as “The Triumvirate”.
Throughout Wednesday’s listening to, Lehrmann mentioned he grew to become “severely remoted” after the allegations have been aired.
“De-friending, chopping me off, eradicating me from group chats, blocking me, the checklist goes on,” he mentioned.
“I shut down my Fb, my Instagram, my Twitter, LinkedIn as effectively.
“It despatched me right into a deep spiral.”
However different texts launched by the court docket on Thursday confirmed some mates providing assist.
“As a mate, I have to name you brother,” one buddy mentioned.
“Simply thought I might let you recognize I do not consider something floating round on the market,” one other wrote within the days after the story broke.
Ms Higgins claims Lehrmann sexually assaulted her within the workplace of their then-boss, former defence trade minister Linda Reynolds, within the early hours of March 22, 2019. Supply: AAP / Mick Tsikas
Ms Higgins claims Lehrmann sexually assaulted her within the workplace of their then-boss, former defence trade minister Linda Reynolds, within the early hours of March 22, 2019.
The legal trial within the ACT Supreme Court docket over Ms Higgins’ rape allegations was derailed by juror misconduct and prosecutors didn’t search a second trial due to issues over her psychological well being.
Lehrmann has all the time denied the allegations.
