Brittany Higgins has taken to social media to deliver a stinging response about a new book on the Bruce Lehrmann defamation trial.
An X user posted a criticism of the publisher of a new book of the landmark judgement of Justice Michael Lee on Tuesday night.
‘For crying out loud #MelbourneUniversityPress did NOT get Brittany Higgins consent OR Justice Lee’s consent before flogging Lee’s defamation decision as a book, for which the grifters are charging $37. (The decision is freely available online). Way to cash in on rape guys,’ the post read.
‘I don’t know if Brittany Higgins did give approval.
‘If she didn’t then we can add Melbourne University Press to the long line of outlets which have commodified & profiteered off of her trauma. If they DID get her consent, why did neither news publication think to ask?’
Ms Higgins replied to the post with a blunt response.
‘The answer is no,’ she commented.
Justice Michael Lee, who presided over the Bruce Lehrmann defamation trial, has said he had no involvement in the project.
Brittany Higgins (pictured) has taken to social media to deliver a stinging response about a new book on the Bruce Lehrmann defamation trial
Justice Michael Lee (pictured) presided over Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation trial and said he had no involvement in the book on the trial
In his judgment handed down in April, Justice Lee found – on the balance of probabilities – that Lehrmann raped fellow political staffer Brittany Higgins inside Parliament House in March 2019.
Justice Lee became a minor celebrity after he presided over the high profile trial, which was live streamed on YouTube.
Melbourne University Press announced it would next month publish his judgment as a book titled He Went Back For His Hat.
On its website, it lists Justice Lee as the author, as well as including a brief biography.
However, in a statement, a Federal Court of Australia spokesperson said neither the court nor Justice Lee were at all involved in the book.
The spokesperson also pointed out Justice Lee’s full judgment is available online and free.
‘The Federal Court and Justice Lee did not authorise or approve the publication of the judgment in this format, nor was Justice Lee directly engaged in the content of the introduction,’ the spokesperson said.
‘No licensing or other arrangements with Justice Lee or the Court are in place with this publisher.
The book of Justice Michael Lee’s judgment in the Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation trial will be published by Melbourne University Press next month. The cover of the book is pictured
‘Justice Lee’s full judgment is publicly available on the Federal Court’s website, in line with the Court’s commitment to open and accessible justice.
‘With regard to the impact of this publication on any future appeal process, responsibility rests with Melbourne University Press.’
Melbourne University Press have been approached for comment.
The book’s title comes from a quote by Justice Lee in which he described Lehrmann’s decision to pursue a defamation suit against Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson after criminal proceedings against him were abandoned.
‘Having escaped the lion’s den, Mr Lehrmann made the mistake of going back for his hat,’ he said.
Lehrmann faced trial in the ACT Supreme Court in 2022 after pleading not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent.
The trial was abandoned due to juror misconduct and the Director of Public Prosecutions dropped the charges and plans for a retrial due to concerns for Ms Higgins’ welfare.
The book will contain a foreword by consent activist Chanel Contos.
However, Justice Lee said, via a court spokesperson, that he was not involved in the content in the introduction.
Lehrmann has lodged an appeal against his defamation suit loss.
Network 10 has asked the court to order that he lodge a $200,000 security – to cover their legal costs – in order for the appeal to go ahead.
The application is being opposed by Lehrmann’s solicitor Zali Burrows, who on Monday told a court that her client was on Centrelink benefits and unable to pay a $200,000 surety.
‘The only shot he’d probably ever have in making money is by going on OnlyFans or something silly like that,’ Ms Burrows told the court.
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