In a surprising turn, Network Ten requests to reintroduce its defence in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation lawsuit, citing ‘fresh evidence’. The move could delay the expected judgment on whether The Project’s broadcast defamed Lehrmann.
Network Ten has made a significant move in a legal battle involving Bruce Lehrmann, requesting to reopen its defence in a defamation case due to ‘fresh evidence’. This request, aimed at introducing new material, is pending before Justice Michael Lee, concerning a lawsuit brought by Lehrmann. The case revolves around an interview aired on Network Ten’s The Project in 2021 with Brittany Higgins, where Lehrmann, although not named, alleges he was implicitly identified.
This unexpected plea arrived over three months following the trial’s closure in December, potentially delaying the anticipated judgment. Lehrmann, a former Liberal staffer, is disputing defamation claims tied to this broadcast, vehemently denying the allegations against him. Justice Lee is in the process of considering whether the content aired defamed Lehrmann, with the trial’s outcome hanging in the balance. The decision to admit the new evidence could further alter the timeline for the judgment.
