UPDATE: Brittany Higgins has issued an apology after facing a staggering $315,000 defamation loss to her former boss, Linda Reynolds. The decision was handed down by the Western Australian Supreme Court on Wednesday, confirming the damaging nature of Higgins’ social media posts.
The bitter defamation case, which concluded after a five-week trial in 2024, has left significant implications for both women. “I accept that Linda Reynolds’ feelings were hurt by these events and I am sorry for that,” Higgins stated on Instagram, expressing relief that the lengthy case has finally reached a conclusion.
Outside the court, Reynolds emerged visibly relieved, declaring, “It is a great relief that my reputation has been finally and fully vindicated.” She criticized the drawn-out legal battle, which took over four years and cost millions, stating, “This has been an incredibly emotionally and financially taxing journey.”
The court found that Higgins’ posts, including a January 2022 tweet and a July 2023 Instagram story, were defamatory. Justice Paul Tottle noted these communications suggested Reynolds pressured Higgins not to pursue a sexual assault complaint, damaging her reputation and career. Judicial findings indicated that Higgins made 26 false or misleading statements during media interviews regarding her alleged rape by Bruce Lehrmann in 2019.
Despite the ruling against Higgins, she managed to establish defenses of honest opinion and qualified privilege in some aspects, which resulted in a partial victory for her. However, Reynolds emphasized that the case was never about the alleged rape but rather about the “dishonest and devastating attack” on her reputation.
As both women navigate the aftermath of this legal battle, Reynolds has called on the federal government to review the judgment, particularly regarding claims of a political cover-up surrounding Higgins’ allegations. She asserted, “Those lies cost me my reputation. It cost me my health and my career.”
Higgins also reflected on the emotional toll of the situation, thanking the public for their support during her challenging years post-alleged assault. “My family and I now look forward to healing and rebuilding our lives,” she concluded.
The fallout from this case continues to ripple through Australian politics and media, with potential implications for future discussions on sexual assault allegations and the treatment of victims. As both women look to move forward, the call for justice and truth remains a pressing topic of conversation in the nation.
For those affected by similar issues, support is available through the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service at 1800 211 028 or 1800 737 732.
