UPDATE: In a dramatic conclusion to a long-standing defamation battle, Brittany Higgins has publicly apologized following a $315,000 ruling against her by the Western Australian Supreme Court. This urgent development marks a significant moment in a case that has captivated Australia and raised serious questions about justice and reputation.
On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, the court found that Higgins’ social media posts were defamatory towards her former boss, Linda Reynolds. Reynolds, who was seeking damages for reputational harm, expressed her relief outside the courthouse, stating, “It is a great relief that my reputation has been finally and fully vindicated.”
The court ruled that Higgins’ posts, including a controversial tweet from January 2022, suggested Reynolds pressured her against filing a sexual assault complaint and portrayed her as a hypocrite in advocating for women’s rights. In total, the judgment awarded Reynolds $315,000 in damages, with an additional $26,109 in interest, as costs remain to be determined.
In her Instagram post, Higgins expressed gratitude for the conclusion of the case, stating, “I accept that Linda Reynolds’ feelings were hurt by these events and I am sorry for that.” She emphasized her desire to heal and rebuild her life after years of public scrutiny following her allegations of sexual assault at Parliament House.
Reynolds, who was a former defense minister, reiterated that her lawsuit was never about money or Higgins’ rape allegations but rather a response to what she described as a “dishonest and devastating attack” on her character. She called for a review of the judgment by the federal government, suggesting that the claims of a political cover-up concerning Higgins’ allegations were false, stating, “So the real healing can commence.”
This ruling comes after a five-week trial that revealed the tumultuous intersection of politics and personal trauma, further complicating the narrative surrounding the allegations against Bruce Lehrmann, whom Higgins claims raped her in 2019. A Federal Court judge previously ruled that, on the balance of probabilities, Lehrmann did rape Higgins, although he has consistently denied the allegations and is currently appealing the decision.
As the fallout from this case continues, Higgins has thanked the public for their support during her challenging journey, saying, “My family and I now look forward to healing and rebuilding our lives.” Meanwhile, Reynolds has described the years spent fighting for her reputation as an “incredibly emotionally and financially taxing journey.”
As this story develops, all eyes will be on the next steps from both parties as they navigate their respective paths forward in the wake of this groundbreaking verdict. Stay tuned for further updates on this unfolding situation.
