Bruce Lehrmann and two friends have been spotted in a tense confrontation with photographers near a pizzeria in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
On Easter Monday – the day after – Network Ten submitted an urgent application to reopen his multimillion-dollar defamation case – Mr Lehrmann has bailed himself out with his $2,000-a-week Balgowlah rent.
He spent the day in solitude with no guests and the curtains drawn, leaving only after about 7pm to meet two friends and a dog outside The Village Inn, in Paddington, where photographers were waiting.
A friend, sailor Rob Porter, was visibly frustrated by the media presence and suggested that Mr Lehrmann’s privacy had been invaded.
Mr. Porter stood between the cameras and Mr. Lehrmann, who laughed nervously as the sailor began taking pictures of the photographers with his phone.
The group then got into a car and drove about 500 yards up the road to Arthur’s Pizza.
Mr. Porter and another man got out of the car, but Mr. Lehrmann remained in the car.
Bruce Lehrmann stands behind his friend Rob Porter on Easter Monday
Rob Porter, a Sydney sailor, jumped to defense of Bruce Lehrmann in Paddington on Monday
Bruce Lehrmann (pictured) spent the day at home on Monday before stepping out after 7pm
Mr Lehrmann sued Network Ten and television presenter Lisa Wilkinson for defamation over an interview with Brittany Higgins on The Project in 2021.
The case was heard in December last year and Judge Lee was due to hand down his sentence at 10.15am on Thursday at the Federal Court in Sydney.
However, Network Ten will try reopens the defamation case during an emergency interlocutory hearing Tuesday at 5 p.m., in which he claims there is new evidence that was not available during the trial.
Ten’s application is reportedly based on a 2,000-page affidavit from former Channel Seven producer Taylor Auerbach, who was part of the team responsible for securing exclusive interviews with Mr Lehrmann on the TV show’s Spotlight programme. network.
If successful, the network may try to call Mr Auerbach to see if he can shed light on whether Mr Lehrmann was responsible for leaking confidential texts and recordings to Seven.
The leaked information was originally collected by the Australian Federal Police during the investigation into Ms Higgins’ rape allegations, before parts of it were aired during Lehrmann’s Spotlight interviews last year.
Evidence obtained by police during an investigation may not be used outside legal proceedings, known as the Harman Enterprise.
Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Lehrmann leaked the information.
Bruce Lehrmannis pictured outside a Paddington pub with a friend on Easter Monday
Taylor Auerbach (pictured) quit working for Channel Seven last year. Earlier this year he took a role on Sky News
The material broadcast included Ms Higgins’ private messages, CCTV footage of Ms Higgins and Mr Lehrmann arriving at Parliament House on the night of the alleged rape in March 2019, and a recorded conversation between the former aide, her fiancé David Sharaz, Wilkinson and her network. producer Angus Llewellyn.
The chat lasted around five hours and was recorded in the run-up to Ms Higgins’ interview on The Project in 2021.
It was deeply embarrassing for Ten and Wilkinson as the TV presenter revealed her personal views on various politicians and used war games to put pressure on the former Morrison government.
During the defamation trial, Mr Lehrmann was cross-examined by Wilkinson’s lawyer Sue Chrysanthou SC when he denied leaking the material.
Referring to Mr Lehrmann’s exclusive agreement with Channel Seven, Ms Chrysanthou asked: ‘In addition to giving the interviews, you also agreed to provide all information, documents, film, video, photographs, items and assistance?’
Mr. Lehrmann replied, “Yes.”
Mrs Chrysanthou asked: ‘And did you do that?’
He replied, “No, I just gave an interview.”
Matthew Richardson SC, a lawyer acting for Mr Lehrmann, also told the Federal Court last year that his client denied leaking the material.
Justice Lee He could ignore Mr. Auerbach’s evidence and proceed with the ruling at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, or he could allow Mr. Lehrmann’s lawyers to submit written comments on the affidavit.
He could also put Mr. Auerback on the witness stand or call Mr. Lehrmann back to testify.
If Mr. Auerbach’s claims are accepted as evidence, Mr. Lehrmann’s credibility could be called into question.
It could also support Ten’s argument that Mr Lehrmann’s evidence in the defamation trial should not be admitted.
Brittany Higgins (right) and David Sharaz (left) were photographed in Perth last month