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Brittany Higgins and Bruce Lehrmann have welcomed the ACT authorities’s announcement of an unbiased inquiry into the dealing with of his aborted prosecution on a rape cost.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Lawyer-Basic Shane Rattenbury announced the inquiry on Wednesday.
Mr Rattenbury mentioned he was involved allegations raised by either side in regards to the case may need wider implications for related circumstances within the territory.
Ms Higgins accused Mr Lehrmann of raping her within the Parliament Home workplace of then protection minister Linda Reynolds in 2019. He confronted a trial within the ACT Supreme Court docket in October, which was derailed as a consequence of juror misconduct.
The costs towards him had been later dropped due to issues in regards to the affect a second trial would have on Ms Higgins’ psychological well being.
Mr Lehrmann denied the allegation
After dropping the fees, it emerged ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold had raised issues about “political and police conduct” within the case.
He additionally wrote to the ACT police chief accusing his members of pressuring him to not prosecute Mr Lehrmann.
However the police union hit again on the allegations and accused Mr Drumgold’s workplace of compromising Mr Lehrmann’s trial.
On Wednesday, Ms Higgins reacted to the announcement with a submit to her Instagram Tales.
“Daylight is the very best disinfectant,” it learn.
Mr Lehrmann reacted by way of his legal professionals.
“We welcome an inquiry and hope the phrases of reference will lengthen to an examination of all facets of this matter, together with selections to not prosecute numerous people and the efforts taken by the DPP to make sure a good trial,” Steve Whybrow SC mentioned in a press release to The Australian on Wednesday.
The paper mentioned it understood Mr Lehrmann’s legal professionals had been eager for the inquiry to look at whether or not strain was utilized to not prosecute Ms Higgins for contempt over her remarks exterior court docket after the trial was aborted.
Mr Rattenbury mentioned the ACT authorities wished to make sure felony issues had been prosecuted in a means that was sturdy, truthful and revered the rights of these concerned. It additionally wished to make sure felony justice entities within the ACT labored collectively successfully.
However Mr Rattenbury emphasised the inquiry – the territory’s equal of a royal fee – was not about reviewing the trial, proof offered or outcomes.
“This trial has been very nerve-racking for all concerned,” he mentioned.
“Whereas it is essential that we do discover the allegations which have arisen in current weeks… on the finish of the day all of the events concerned are human and so they do should be handled with a level of care and respect.”
Mr Barr mentioned an inquiry would examine whether or not the capabilities of the territory’s felony justice system had been “discharged with the suitable rigour, impartiality and independence”.
A board of inquiry will study interactions between prosecutors and ACT Police concerning the fees towards Mr Lehrmann in addition to the selections to go forward with a primary trial after which not proceed with a retrial.
It would study how the Victims of Crime Commissioner responded to the allegations and supported Ms Higgins.
Legal guidelines within the ACT associated to juror misconduct are additionally anticipated to be examined.
All events have indicated they’ll cooperate with the inquiry.
The federal government will announce a authorized knowledgeable to supervise the matter, in addition to the complete scope of the investigation subsequent 12 months.
It’s anticipated that the inquiry will maintain private and non-private hearings.
A spokesperson mentioned ACT Policing seemed ahead to partaking with the inquiry within the coming months.
Mr Rattenbury mentioned the prosecutor’s workplace and the police drive had a protracted, ongoing relationship and the allegations from either side had been critical.
“I hope that this matter doesn’t have an effect on that broader relationship however that’s a part of the explanation we’re establishing this inquiry,” he mentioned.
“To make sure that the place these allegations and people fracture factors have been aired, there’s an unbiased discussion board to research them.”
It’s anticipated {that a} report might be supplied to the chief minister by the tip of June 2023.
– with AAP
