Former minister Linda Reynolds has denied trying to interfere in the criminal trial of a man accused of raping her former employee Brittany Higgins.
Higgins alleges she was raped by former Liberal Party member Bruce Lehrmann in Reynolds’ ministerial office weeks before the 2019 federal election was called.
Lehrmann has pleaded not guilty in the ACT Supreme Court to non-consensual sex.
Linda Reynolds has denied trying to interfere in the criminal trial of a man accused of raping her former employee Brittany Higgins. (Alex Ellinghausen)
While giving evidence at the trial on Monday, it was revealed that Reynolds asked for access to transcripts of Higgins’ evidence because he was curious about what had been said.
However, he was told that this request was “inappropriate” and he did not receive the transcripts.
Prosecutor Shane Drumgold asked the senator why he had texted Lehrmann’s defense team about a possible line of questioning two hours after Higgins began his trial.
Drumgold accused her of trying to coach Higgins’ cross-examination because she was politically invested in the outcome of the case, both suggestions she denied.
It was also revealed that Reynolds’ partner has been sitting in court throughout the proceedings, but she denied being told any details of the case.
Reynolds said he knew few details about Higgins’ alleged violation in 2019 and did not consider the former employee a liability to the Liberal Party.
The court previously heard that Higgins did not make a police report because during a meeting with Reynolds the week after the alleged assault, the conversation focused on the impact it could have on the Liberal Party.
When Drumgold told Reynolds that his overriding concern at that meeting was the impending election, she vehemently denied it.
“I categorically reject that claim,” he said.
Brittany Higgins was questioned on Friday. (Getty)
Reynolds told the court he knew few details about the night of the alleged assault, other than there had been a security breach at his ministerial suite.
He said Higgins apologized and was ashamed of the breach.
When Higgins became upset as she revealed details about waking up the next morning and getting dressed, Reynolds said she recommended talking to the police.
He told the court he suggested Higgins speak to someone more qualified.
Earlier, Liberal senator Michaelia Cash denied the former government covered up Higgins’ alleged rape, agreeing it would be political suicide to do so.
Michaelia Cash has given evidence at the trial of the man who allegedly raped Brittany Higgins. (smh)
Cash also said he didn’t know about the rape allegation until 2021.
The court previously heard that Higgins, who worked for Cash between 2019 and 2021, spoke to her about the alleged assault several times.
But appearing via video link on Monday, Cash said that while he was told there had been a security breach in a ministerial office, he was not told about the alleged sexual assault.
She said Higgins revealed that she and Lehrmann had gone into Reynolds’ office after a night of drinking and had fallen asleep there.
Cash said he did not recall talking to Reynolds about the breach.
Bruce Lehrmann has pleaded not guilty to non-consensual sex. (new)
Asked by Drumgold whether an alleged assault between ministerial staff would be “politically embarrassing”, Cash said, “absolutely not”.
He said he did not understand the political connection, but an allegation of assault would need to be addressed.
When Lehrmann’s defense attorney, Steven Whybrow, suggested it would be “political suicide” for a government to try to cover up a sexual assault allegation, Cash agreed.
Cash said that when he learned of the alleged assault in 2021 he told Higgins he would be supported “every step of the way”.
The trial continues on Tuesday.
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