ACT Government Announces Inquiry into Bruce Lehrman Trial

The ACT government proceeds with an investigation into the aborted trial of Bruce Lehrman.

Territory Attorney General Shane Rattenberry and Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced an independent inquiry.

The inquiry will consider whether the criminal justice function has been “discharged with appropriate rigor, impartiality, and independence.”

Mr Lehrmann, who was charged with sexually assaulting Liberal colleague Brittany Higgins, pleaded not guilty to the single charge of sex without consent.

The robbery is believed to have taken place inside the office of Minister Linda Reynolds in the Houses of Parliament after spending the night with a work colleague in March 2019.

Lehrmann categorically denied having had sex with Higgins.

He was put on trial earlier this year, but the jury was dismissed in October after one of the jurors was found guilty of misconduct.

Lehrmann was scheduled for a retrial in the ACT Supreme Court next February, but prosecutors dropped the rape case, citing an “unacceptable” risk to Higgins’ life.