Senator Linda Reynolds slams Shane Drumgold for comments during Bruce Lehrmann ... trends now
Former defence minister Linda Reynolds has lashed the top prosecutor who ran the rape trial against Bruce Lehrmann under parliamentary privilege, after he sensationally claimed politicians 'probably' meddled in the case.
Shane Drumgold SC, the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions, sensationally suggested on Wednesday that there could be a political conspiracy behind an alleged police push not to charge Lehrmann with sexual assault.
However, in a stunning backflip, Mr Drumgold walked back on those claims during a Board of Inquiry hearing into the fallout from the trial. He conceded his suspicions of political interference were 'mistaken'.
In a fiery, surprise speech in the Senate on Thursday night, West Australian Senator Reynolds said she considered the allegation of political meddling 'a complete affront to my reputation'.
'This baseless suggestion was without any foundation, but it should never have come to this,' she said.
Senator Reynolds said she 'categorically rejects' Mr Drumgold's remarks, adding she cooperated entirely with the AFP investigation.
'It is baffling and it is disturbing that this view was offered under oath as there was absolutely no basis for this claim - as the DPP has now acknowledged again under oath today in the inquiry,' she said.
Brittany Higgins, a one-time staffer in Senator Reynolds' office, accused Mr Lehrmann of raping her inside Parliament House in March 2019.
Shane Drumgold SC, the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions, walked back on those claims just a day later
He pleaded not guilty, and after an aborted trial due to juror misconduct, the sexual assault charge was dropped entirely due to concerns for Ms Higgins' mental health. He has always maintained his innocence.
Now, an inquiry is underway into the conduct of
