Opinion
Life can take unexpected turns, as Krusty the Clown once reminded Bart Simpson. “One day you’re the most important guy that ever lived, the next day you’re some shmoe working in a box factory.” And, as Brittany Higgins is finding, one minute you’re tongue-lashing your old boss on social media, the next, you’re grovelling abject apologies to try and head off a defamation suit.
Brittany Higgins says she is sorry for “hurt” caused to Liberal senator Linda Reynolds and former chief of staff Fiona Brown in the aftermath of her rape allegations against Bruce Lehrmann, citing “different perceptions”, and regrets having “not yet found common ground” with the two women about the events and since refuted “cover-up” claims.
The Australian
As I’m sure you’ll all agree, this is an apology simply oozing sincerity and with no hint of a frantic lawyer’s fingerprints all over it.
Still, it’s a far cry from when Higgins was spitting venom like this:
“I won’t stay silent so you can stay comfortable”
Brittany Higgins has told her former boss Linda Reynolds “it is time to stop” and accused the Liberal senator of targeting her through the media and in parliament.
On her Instagram story on Tuesday, Higgins highlighted media coverage of Reynolds’ comments about the expected Nacc referral and said: “This has been going on for years now. It is time to stop […] This is from a current Australian senator who continues to harass me through the media and in the parliament”
The Guardian
Somehow, Linda Reynolds seems to harbour doubts about young Brittany’s genuine goodwill.
Linda Reynolds has spoken out for the first time since the Federal Court comprehensively debunked suggestions she and her office had engaged in a cover-up of Brittany Higgins’ rape […]
“For three years I have endured intense public scrutiny, vilification, vile trolling and have been demonised as the villain in a story of a political cover-up I have always known to be untrue. Fiona Brown and I have lost our careers, had our reputations destroyed and have had our health seriously and irreparably compromised,” Senator Reynolds said.
“The decision of his Honour Justice Lee has finally set the record straight with respect to the conduct of Ms Brown and myself and the demonstrably false narrative that has dominated headlines and ruined lives and careers. To say I am pleased with the findings in relation to Ms Brown, myself and the cover-up that never was, would be an understatement.”
Oh, and Higgins and her boyfriend better believe that the defo case is still on.
Senator Reynolds is currently suing Ms Higgins and her fiance, David Sharaz, for defamation in the Western Australian Supreme Court. That matter is scheduled to go to trial later this year, with the senator vowing to push on with the claim.
Senator Reynolds said she did not wish to make any further comment at this time given her ongoing defamation proceedings against the pair.
“I note as a matter of law that the findings by Justice Lee are not binding on Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz in respect of their defences to my actions in the Supreme Court of WA. I therefore remain committed to fully vindicating my reputation,” she said.
The Australian
Between that and the growing calls for a corruption investigation into Higgins’ $2.4m compo payment, courtesy of a grateful Albanese government, this is all far from over.