This article contains references to rape.
Disgraced former political operative Bruce Lehrmann has lost his bid to overturn a court ruling that he likely raped his colleague Brittany Higgins in Parliament House.
The 30-year-old had sued Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson for defamation over an interview with Higgins on The Project in 2021.
Judge Michael Lee found that Higgins’ claims that Lehrmann raped her in Parliament House two years earlier were based on the balance of probabilities.
In his headline-making decision in April 2024, Lee joked: “After escaping the lion’s den, Lehrmann made the mistake of going back for his hat.”
After months of deliberation, the full bench of the Federal Court dismissed his appeal on Wednesday.
“The court has found that the primary judge did not err in any way in the manner alleged by Mr Lehrmann,” Judge Michael Wigney said.
Lehrmann had argued that Lee had made a mistake in finding Ten and that Wilkinson had legally justified the attribution of rape.
Lehrmann did not appear in court for the decision and was instead represented by his attorney Zali Burrows.
Burrows said outside court that her client would seek advice on applying for special leave to appeal to the High Court.
Lehrmann denies sexually assaulting Higgins and that a criminal case against him was dropped in 2022 without any findings against him.
If you or someone you know is affected by sexual abuse, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In case of emergency you can call 000.
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