Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds files lawsuit against Brittany Higgins’ boyfriend David Sharaz

Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds is suing Brittany Higgins’ boyfriend David Sharaz alleging he ‘trolled’ and defamed her in a series of tweets.

Reynolds claims her reputation has faced unfair scrutiny since the rape trial of former Liberal staffer Ms Higgins against Bruce Lehrmann in October 2022.

Ms Higgins alleged she was raped by Lehrmann in Reynolds office following staff drinks on March 23, 2019. 

Lehrmann denies all allegations and claims he never had sex with Higgins. 

Reynolds became a prominent figure in the 2022 rape trial – which was called off following reports a juror brought in material that was not part of supplied evidence.

Now, her lawyers have filed a writ against Sharaz to the WA Supreme Court over two tweets from the account @SharazDavid in January and December last year.

The senator is seeking damages and aggravated damages from Sharaz and demands he covers the cost of legal proceedings.

Reynolds has also asked for an injunction which would prevent future publication of the tweets.

Sharaz has since deactivated his Twitter account.

‘For the best part of the last two years I have been the subject of harassing and highly distressing trolling on social media regarding myself and my conduct in respect of events concerning Ms Brittany Higgins which has damaged my reputation and caused me, my family and my staff, considerable stress and anguish,’ Reynolds told The Australian.

‘Mr Sharaz has been a constant participant in the trolling.

‘In light of the conclusion of the criminal trial and the resolution of the civil action involving Ms Higgins and the Commonwealth, I am now at liberty to take steps to vindicate my reputation and provide some truth to the matters the subject of these trolling comments.’ 

Reynolds (above) claims two tweets shared by David Sharaz last year were falsely defamed her

Sydney-based law firm Arnold Bloch Leibler confirmed to WAtoday it will be advising Sharaz.

Just weeks earlier Reynolds filed a lawsuit against publisher HarperCollins for lines in journalist Aaron Patrick’s book Ego: Malcolm Turnbull and the Liberal Party’s Civil War.

The book mostly focuses on fighting within the Liberal Party and the relationship between former Prime Ministers Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison but also touches on some of the party’s recent scandals, including Ms Higgins’ rape allegation.

Ms Higgins alleged she was raped by Lehrmann in Reynolds office following staff drinks on March 23, 2019. 

During the trial, Reynolds was questioned by prosecutor Shane Drumgold over texts she sent to Lehrmann’s defence team during Ms Higgins’ cross-examination.

The texts appeared to suggest a line of questioning for Lehrmann’s team to follow however Reynolds denied claims she attempted to ‘coach’ them.

She claims comments made in Patrick’s books are defamatory, including one passage which suggests Reynolds told Higgins her alleged rape was ‘the cost of being female’.