Bruce Lehrmann considers launching a multimillion dollar compensation claim ... trends now
Bruce Lehrmann is considering launching a multimillion-dollar claim for compensation against the ACT Department of Public Prosecutions.
The former Liberal staffer revealed his lawyers would prepare to claim damages and compensation from the ODPP and the ACT government.
The findings of the Sofronoff inquiry into Mr Lehrmann's prosecution and aborted trial for the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins are in the hands of the ACT government.
Chief ministers will now respond to what are expected to be serious adverse findings against the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions, Shane Drumgold.
Mr Lehrmann has called for the report into potential misconduct to be released immediately after it was revealed the findings could be withheld for a month.
'I will be guided by the report and call for its release as a matter of urgency,' Mr Lehrmann told The Australian newspaper.
'If it finds the director acted with malice or against his duties as DPP and as an officer of the court, I will be considering a multimillion claim for damages and compensation from the ODPP and the ACT government.'
Mr Lehrmann, who is already suing the ABC and Channel 10 for defamation, lashed the decision to suppress the findings of his abandoned prosecution last week.
Bruce Lehrmann has announced he is preparing to lodge a multimillion dollar claim for compensation against the ACT Department of Public Prosecutions
Mr Lehrmann, who is suing the ABC and Channel 10 for defamation, lashed the decision to suppress the findings of his abandoned prosecution last week (pictured)
He wrote to Instagram on Saturday: 'Absolute disgrace! I remember someone saying that sunlight is the best disinfectant... The Drumgold protection racket continues. The chief minister should hang his head in shame.'
It had been expected the findings of the Sofronoff inquiry, lead by Walter Sofronoff KC, would be released immediately after being delivered on Monday.
But the ACT government will now consider the report 'through a proper cabinet process' that Chief Minister Andrew Barr said would take three to four weeks, with the Legislative Assembly 'updated' at the end of August.
Mr Lehrmann, a former political advisor, was accused of raping Brittany Higgins in Parliament House after a night out when they were colleagues in March 2019.
He has always strenuously denied the allegations.
Mr Lehrmann's trial was aborted in October 2022 due to jury misconduct and Mr Drumgold later dropped the charges amid concerns about the impact a second trial could have on Ms
