Bruce Lehrmann has been photographed at a Liberal Party Christmas party as Brittany Higgins is cross-examined in his defamation case against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson.
Lehrmann was seen at a drinks party attended by Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Thursday evening.
The former political staffer is suing Ten and Wilkinson in federal court over an interview his former colleague Ms Higgins gave on The Project in February 2021.
Bruce Lehrmann is photographed at a Liberal Party Christmas party as Brittany Higgins is cross-examined in his defamation case against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson
During the interview, Ms Higgins claimed she was raped at Parliament House in March 2019. She did not name Mr. Lehrmann, but he claims his identity was recognizable.
He has always denied having any sexual contact with Ms Higgins and is seeking damages in federal court.
Mr Lehrmann has been in the Sydney courtroom every day this week to watch Ms Higgins make the main statement and then be cross-examined by his lawyer Steven Whybrow SC.
Thursday's Christmas drinks were organized by the Wentworth branch of the Liberal Party and held at Villa Orme in Rushcutters Bay. news.com.auwho first reported the story.
A spokeswoman for Ms Ley told the press that she was not aware Mr Lehrmann would be present and that she had had no contact with him.
Brittany Higgins arrives at Federal Court with fiance David Sharaz. She spent the day being cross-examined by Steven Whybrow, Bruce Lehrmann's attorney
A lengthy clip of a five-hour meeting attended by Wilkinson, her now fiancé David Sharaz, Wilkinson and a producer from Ten was played in the Federal Court on Friday.
The meeting was recorded in January 2021 – a few weeks before the episode The Project aired, in which Ms Higgins publicly addressed her rape allegations for the first time.
During that conversation, Wilkinson could be heard saying the Liberal Party was “playing mind games” and Ms Higgins described the party as a “weird, coarse family”.
At one point Wilkinson's voice rang out, before Mr Sharaz laughed and said: “I like how angry you get.”
Wilkinson purchased headphones to ensure she could hear the procedure clearly.
Her lips pursed as the recording was played in court.