Network Ten says it emailed Bruce Lehrmann over Brittany Higgins rape ... trends now
Network Ten has revealed the email its staff sent Bruce Lehrmann ahead of airing a bombshell interview with former Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins where she alleged she had been raped in Parliament House.
The email, referred to as part of Ten's defence to defamation proceedings launched by Mr Lehrmann in the Federal Court, included a series of questions sent to an email address believed to be controlled by Mr Lehrmann.
The email included the question 'Did you rape Brittany Higgins as alleged?' and offered him a chance to tell his side of the story on The Project, where Ms Higgins' interview was slated to air.
The network discloses that the email address was supplied to Ten by Ms Higgins' boyfriend, David Sharaz.
Ten has argued in its defence that staff made 'reasonable attempts' to get Mr Lehrmann's side of the story before it broadcast Lisa Wilkinson's interview with Ms Higgins.
In the document, it says a producer called, texted and emailed Mr Lehrmann on five occasions from Friday, February 12 to Monday, February 15, 2021.
The producer emailed an address for Mr Lehrmann, provided by Ms Higgins' partner David Sharaz, in which he asked 16 questions including: 'Did you take Ms Higgins to Australian Parliament House after the drinks?' and 'Did you rape Brittany Higgins as alleged?'
Network Ten has revealed the email its staff sent Bruce Lehrmann ahead of airing a bombshell interview with former Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins where she alleged she had been raped in Parliament House
After pleading not guilty to sexually assaulting former colleague Brittany Higgins, Mr Lehrmann stood trial in the ACT Supreme Court before it was aborted due to juror misconduct.
The charges were subsequently dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions and he has continually denied any allegation he sexually assaulted Ms Higgins at Parliament House in March 2019, and Mr Lehrmann filed a defamation claim shortly afterwards.
Mr Lehrmann is suing journalist Wilkinson and Network 10, as well as journalist Samantha Maiden and News Corp Australia's News Life Media over their coverage of the allegations made by Ms Higgins.
Ten said it would rely on a defence of truth and qualified privilege.
The broadcaster also argues the lawsuit is not maintainable as it was filed beyond the one-year limitation period, given its interview with Ms Higgins - broadcast on February 15, 2021 - is now more than two years old.
Ms Wilkinson has retained her own legal team led by high-profile defamation barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC and has previously filed her defence.
Ten has argued in its defence that staff made 'reasonable attempts' to get Mr Lehrmann's side of the story before it broadcast Lisa Wilkinson's (pictured) interview with Ms Higgins
Wilkinson is seen arriving in Sydney on Wednesday after travelling to the UK for a week
Wilkinson is seen at Sydney Airport on Wednesday
Mr Lehrmann has claimed the segment on The Project broadcast carried four false and
