Channel 10 lawyer Justin Quill has unleashed on Bruce Lehrmann with a brutal piece of advice after a judge found that the former political staffer raped Brittany Higgins.
Lehrmann sued Network Ten and Wilkinson for defamation over a February 2021 report on The Project in which Ms Higgins claimed she was raped by her colleague Lehrmann in a Parliament House office in 2019.
Justice Michael Lee on Monday ruled that Lerhmann had raped Ms Higgins, saying he been ‘hellbent’ on having sex with his former colleague.
He ruled in favour of Ten when he handed down his verdict.
Outside court afterwards, Mr Quill described the 324 page judgement as a resounding win for Channel 10 and a dismal failure for Lehrmann.
Channel 10 lawyer Justin Quill slammed Bruce Lehrmann after Justice Michael Lee handed down his judgement on Monday
![Bruce Lehrmann leaves court on Monday after Justice Michael Lee ruled in favour of Channel Ten](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/15/06/83640003-13308705-image-a-27_1713158321832.jpg)
Bruce Lehrmann leaves court on Monday after Justice Michael Lee ruled in favour of Channel Ten
‘My advice for Mr Lehrmann given that he is studying law would be to maybe find another course to study at university,’ he said.
Mr Quill claimed Lehrmann took Channel 10 to court for two reasons – to make money and reinvent history.
‘He wanted people to believe his version of events and he’s failed in both endeavours,’ he added.
‘It’s an unmitigated disaster for Bruce Lehrmann.’
Mr Quill added that the Channel 10 was deserving of the vindication the network received from the ruling.
He added that it was also vindication for Ms Higgins, who was hailed as courageous.
‘Vindication in its belief and support in Brittany Higgins, who was particularly brave to come to court and unlike most rape victims who come to court, having chosen not to have anonymity and give her evidence in the glare of publicity and spotlight,’ Mr Quill said.
‘It’s a vindication by Ten to continue to run and defend these defamation proceedings and the cost and fight in doing so.’
![The judge found that Bruce Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins (pictured) in 2019](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/15/06/83640961-13308705-image-a-39_1713158749508.jpg)
The judge found that Bruce Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins (pictured) in 2019
Mr Quill added in a statement that Channel Ten is considering Justice Lee’s 324-page judgement.
‘It is clear however that Australia’s defamation laws remain highly restrictive,’ the statement read.
‘Network Ten remains firmly committed to honest, fair and independent journalism; to holding those in power to account; to giving people a voice who wouldn’t otherwise have one; and to always pursuing without fear or favour journalism that is firmly in the public interest.’
Lisa Wilkinson, who won a Logie award for her interview with Ms Higgins on The Project also addressed the media outside court after winning the defamation case.
‘Today the federal court has found that I published a true story about a rape at a federal politician’s office in March 2019,’ Wilkinson said.
‘I sincerely hope the judgment gives strength to women around the country.
‘I’m also so grateful to have had the benefit of our independent legal team.’
![Lisa Wilkinson addressed the media after the judge handed down his judgement in the defamation case](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/15/06/83641051-13308705-image-a-40_1713158881866.jpg)
Lisa Wilkinson addressed the media after the judge handed down his judgement in the defamation case
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