Welcome to our rolling coverage of Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation suit against Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson.
Follow the latest news and updates from the hearing today.
‘Sounds paranoid’: Boyfriend’s email to Lisa
Brittany Higgins’ boyfriend David Sharaz warned Ms Wilkinson that he needed to contact the broadcaster on her behalf because “this sounds paranoid … we just don’t know who might be keeping a close eye on her”.
A former press gallery journalist, Mr Sharaz’ email pitch to Ms Wilkinson was published by the Federal Court this week. It included a 17-page “timeline” document featuring claims about various political staffers and MPs who he said “knew” of the allegation.
Ms Wilkinson, who is represented by barrister Sue Chrysanthou, will give evidence for the first time on Thursday.
“Thank you for your time over the phone today, and your sensitivity around what I truly feel is an injustice,’’ Mr Sharaz wrote.
“I’m sending this on behalf of Britt, purely because, and this sounds paranoid, we just don’t know who might be keeping a close eye on her.
“As discussed, we’re happy for you to send this to your producer (and thank you for speaking to your EP [executive producer] for us).”
Mr Sharaz also discussed the timing of the story and why Ms Higgins’ preference was for the story to be published when parliament was sitting.
“Brittany really needs to be out of the Parliament House when both the story breaks, and the police report is relaunched,’’ he said.
Mr Sharaz also noted that he had looked up the ACT Policing crime (statistics) for 2019 and “there was one reported sexual assault during the time Britt’s incident occurred.”
He informed Ms Wilkinson that if she wanted to contact Ms Higgins she should call him.
“You can always chat to me over the phone if you need more, and I can put Britt on,’’ he said.
“Thanks again, David Sharaz.”