Brittany Higgins, Bruce Lehrmann defamation trial live updates: Lisa Wilkinson’s ‘explosive’ texts about Brittany Higgins’ The Project interview – and her planning lunch on her exclusive boat – are revealed

Lisa Wilkinson was texting her producer at The Project, Angus Llewellyn, on January 19, 2021, when she first heard about Brittany Higgins' rape allegations.

The messages were released in Mr Llewellyn's affidavit, which was published on the Federal Court website on Tuesday.

Wilkinson wrote: 'I have an explosive political story for Sunday Project. Call Craig and Sarah and we will go for it. March edition.

“I told Craig I only wanted to work on it with you. He agrees. Call me when you can.'

The next day, January 20, Mr Llewellyn replied: 'Hi Lisa, sounds intriguing!

'I can jump on it from Friday if necessary? Is it for this Sunday? If that's not the case, I'll be back from leave on Monday and I can deal with it then.'

Wilkinson said: “It is an extraordinary cover-up involving Linda Reynolds, Michaelia Cash and the Prime Minister's Office.

'Sarah thinks it's so explosive that we should do it in three segments from 7 p.m. It's for March. Enjoy your holiday.

'The woman at the center is willing to talk. She is based in Canberra. We can fly her up. Would you like to have an appointment with her on Monday?'

Wilkinson sent him a timeline that Mrs. Higgins had drawn up, detailing the details of her alleged rape.

In his affidavit, Mr Llewellyn said he found the timeline “intriguing” and that Ms Higgins' allegations were “worth investigating”.

On January 26, Mr Llewellyn attended a luncheon on Wilkinson's private boat.

“We sat separately from the other guests and had a private conversation,” his statement read.

At the boat party, they agreed that the story needed to be investigated because it was “hugely disturbing” but would get a lot of attention if it made it to air.

The couple decided to meet in person with Ms Higgins and her now fiancé David Sharaz to assess her credibility.

The next day, Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz jumped on a plane to Sydney to meet Wilkinson and Mr Llewellyn at the Darling Hotel in Pyrmont.

The conversation was recorded and lasted approximately five hours.

Ms Higgins' allegations were broadcast on The Project about three weeks later on February 15, 2021.