Key events1m agoParliament House security guard Nikola Anderson is in the witness box47m agoWhat’s coming up todayFilters BETAKey events (2)Bruce Lehrmann (4)Michael Lee (3)1m ago18.59 ESTParliament House security guard Nikola Anderson is in the witness box
Nikola Anderson, a Parliament House security guard, is now in the witness box. She said she was on duty at the house on 23 March 2019 which was the night Brittany Higgins alleged she was raped in a ministerial suite.
Anderson is being questioned by Network Ten’s silk Matt Collins KC about writing an incident report on the 23 March.
11m ago18.48 EST
Witness asks to be excused from giving evidence due to “vulnerable” mental health
Senator Linda Reynolds’ former chief of staff Fiona Brown has asked to be excused from giving evidence at the defamation trial due to her “vulnerable” mental health.
A barrister for Brown has told Justice Lee that Brown has returned from the UK and is in Sydney, but has received medical advice that she not give evidence at the Lehrmann trial “having regard to her vulnerable state”.
“We have sought an updating report from her psychiatrist, which I understand is in train,” the barrister said.
Lehrmann’s legal counsel has indicated Brown’s evidence is key to its case.
Justice Lee said he is not opposed to shutting down the live stream while Brown gives her testimony or accepting an affidavit from Brown. He has called for additional medical evidence and will decide later how she gives her evidence.
The court heard Brown’s legal counsel is acting pro bono and she has applied for financial assistance from the commonwealth as a former employee.
Updated at 18.59 EST29m ago18.30 EST
Justice Michael Lee has begun the hearing by dealing with the side issue of legal costs between Lisa Wilkinson and her employer Network Ten. Wilkinson is suing Ten over a dispute about payment of more than $700,000 in legal costs in the Bruce Lehrmann defamation case.
The Project presenter, who conducted the interview with Brittany Higgins, chose to use a separate legal team to Network Ten to defend the defamation case brought by Lehrmann.
Lee will hear more about the Wilkinson case at the end of the trial, estimated to be 14 December.
Updated at 18.32 EST47m ago18.12 EST
Federal court continues to livestream the case
This blog will cover major developments during the day. In the interests of open justice and due to significant public interest, the federal court is livestreaming this case.
You can follow the Bruce Lehrmann defamation trial live stream on YouTube here.
Last week Justice Michael Lee warned if members of the public denigrate the barristers on social media he will reconsider allowing the case to be livestreamed.
Lee heard that court staff were monitoring activity on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Lee said:
I just make it perfectly clear to those observing that abuse of any legal practitioners involved in the case, it won’t be tolerated.
And if the situation becomes…
2023-12-06 18:48:58
Original from www.theguardian.com
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