Bruce Lehrmann admits he has mysteriously fallen out with two of his closest mates – as he braces for fresh grilling

Bruce Lehrmann appears to have lost two close friends, John McGowan and Harry Hughes.

The revelation was made in the Federal Court on Monday, when Mr Lehrmann was under cross-examination by Network Ten’s barrister Matthew Collins KC.

Dr Collins was asking about a series of WhatsApp messages he received on February 15, 2021 – the day Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations against him were published for the first time.

Mr Lehrmann has continually denied raping Ms Higgins.

That morning, Mr Hughes – who is former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull’s nephew – asked Mr Lehrmann: ‘Know this chick?’

Mr Lehrmann replied: ‘Yeah worked with her briefly. (She) was at team drinks etc.’

When asked to describe his relationship with Mr Hughes, the former Liberal staffer told the court he used to be a friend but wasn’t anymore.

In May, the pair were pictured laughing together during a long lunch at Bondi Trattoria.

At one stage, Mr Lehrmann put his arm around Mr Hughes as they left the venue.

On Monday, the court also heard Mr Lehrmann was no longer friends with political operative John McGowan.

On February 15, 2021, Mr McGowan sent him a WhatsApp message to try and determine who Ms Higgins’ alleged rapist was.

Mr McGowan asked: ‘You got any (gossip) on who the Canberra rape guy is, the yarn says ‘rising star’ so that rules out our mates but who else?’

Mr Lehrmann replied: ‘No idea mate in the slightest … I haven’t been approached.’

Dr Collins asked whether Mr McGowan was a friend or media advisor.

Mr Lehrmann said he was more of a friend, but explained he did not consider the political operative to be a friend ‘anymore’.

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