Shane Drumgold described himself on LinkedIn with two defiant words… Until he suddenly DELETED them when Daily Mail Australia asked questions: Eye-opening insight into Bruce Lehrmann prosecutor

The lead prosecutor who led the rape case against Bruce Lehrmann described himself as a “truth teller” in his LinkedIn bio – before quickly deleting it when asked a question.

Shane Drumgold was forced to resign as ACT director of public prosecutions last year after a commission of inquiry – the equivalent of a royal commission – made a series of damning findings against him.

A judge ruled he knowingly lied to the ACT chief justice during Mr Lehrmann’s 2022 trial, lost objectivity during the prosecution and breached his duty by failing to disclose documents to the defense.

He resigned as DPP after the 600-page report was leaked to the media and is now suing the commission of inquiry over its findings.

That case was heard in the ACT Supreme Court on Wednesday and will return to court in mid-February.

Mr Drumgold has since become an active LinkedIn user, describing himself as a “truth teller” on the platform, until Thursday when Daily Mail Australia asked him about it.

He also used a single poop emoji to describe his past year.

Shane Drumgold is pictured center at the 2022 ACT Women Lawyer Awards

Thursday morning read his biography: “Truth teller, retired lawyer, author.” Later that afternoon it said, “Retired attorney, author.”

He did not respond to questions, so it is unclear whether the description was a holdover from his time as a top prosecutor or a defiant attitude toward the investigation’s findings.

In any case, Mr. Drumgold’s activity on LinkedIn has increased significantly since he had more free time following his resignation in September.

In December, he summed up his year by posting a poop emoji and hinted that he might try to rebuild his reputation in 2024.

‘Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. My 2023 review is captured in one emoji,” he wrote, alongside a poop emoji.

“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, so stay tuned for a big 2024.

“In the meantime, be safe, eat, drink, enjoy the love of those around you, but most importantly, be kind to everyone.”

Shane Drumgold described himself on his LinkedIn profile as a “truth teller.” He subsequently deleted it when contacted by Daily Mail Australia

Shane Drumgold used a poop emoji on LinkedIn to describe 2023 (post pictured)

Shane Drumgold was an advocate for Indigenous Voice to Parliament and said he was ‘shattered’ when referendum failed

Mr Drumgold, who has been an advocate for Indigenous rights and legal issues, also shared commentary advocating for the Indigenous voice in Parliament.

‘The arguments in the referendum can be divided into two schools of thought: fear versus hope. Fear of possible consequences versus hope for possible consequences. I know where I sit,” he wrote in September, weeks before the elections.

He also attacked the No campaign slogan: “If you don’t know, vote no.”

‘I think I need to make a list of things we wouldn’t have today – if our guiding principle was ‘if you don’t know, say no’. It would range from cancer treatment to airplanes,” he said.

Closer to the October referendum, he wrote: “If you don’t know, find out.”

The referendum failed on October 14, but the ACT voted overwhelmingly in favor of The Voice.

“Tonight I am devastated, but I will heal,” he wrote when the results were announced.

“I know that history has etched certain names in stone that will form infamous legacies for decades to come.”

‘I am very proud of the ACT. Thank you!

“My hope is that activists will wake up – to light a fire, to close the divide that has dominated this country for over two centuries.

‘Without darkness we would not know the light.’

Brittany Higgins (pictured with her fiancé David Sharaz) claimed she was raped by Bruce Lehrmann. He denies the accusations

Previously, the majority of Mr Drumgold’s posts appeared to have been made in 2022 – the year of Mr Lehrmann’s trial, when his reputation was still intact.

In one post, he celebrated the ACT Women Lawyer Awards and noted how “amazing” it was to see two lawyers from the DPP office walk away with an award – including his own daughter, Tahlia Drumgold.

“The DPP team had a great night at the ACT Women Lawyer Awards,” he wrote.

“It was great to see two DPP lawyers recognized for their outstanding achievements, and we congratulate Katie McCann and Tahlia Drumgold on their respective awards.”

Mr Drumgold was on paid sick leave from May to September last year after being questioned on the witness stand for five days during the inquiry committee hearings.

While on leave, he reportedly continued to receive a weekly salary of $9,266.

Since formally stepping down, he has taken legal action against the commission of inquiry, and has an ongoing dispute with a builder over his investment properties on the NSW south coast.

Daily Mail Australia understands he also had a part-time job teaching law at the University of Canberra.

Bruce Lehrmann (pictured) has always denied that he raped Brittany Higgins in 2019

He is listed as an adjunct professor on the university’s website and on his own LinkedIn page until he removed it when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.

A university spokesperson said he no longer carries that title.

An adjunct professor is a scientist in higher education who does not work as a full-time lecturer.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Drumgold for comment. He edited his LinkedIn profile but did not respond to questions.

Mr Lehrmann was tried in the ACT Supreme Court in October 2022 after his former colleague Brittany Higgins alleged he raped her at Parliament House after a night out in 2019. He has always denied the allegations.

Lehrmann pleaded not guilty and the month-long trial went ahead, but it was vacated after a juror brought prohibited research material into court.

Mr Drumgold then dropped the charges entirely in December due to concerns about Ms Higgins’ mental health.

A month before the charges were dropped, Mr Drumgold sent an email to police calling for a commission of inquiry because he believed the Australian Federal Police had conspired not to charge Mr Lehrmann.

The commission of inquiry went before Queensland judge Walter Sofronoff in May last year.

Mr Drumgold was cross-examined for five days. The interrogation was so brutal that he was excused from appearing on the final day and took medical leave from his role as DPP.

In the findings, Mr Sofronoff said he was “deeply disturbed” by Mr Drumgold’s behaviour, likening him to Pontius Pilate – a Roman governor who gave in to demands to crucify Jesus.

The findings were leaked to The Australian newspaper and published before ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr released them.

Mr Drumgold’s case against the inquiry will not call into question the validity of Mr Sofronoff’s findings, but will examine whether they were made lawfully.

During the hearing on Wednesday, the ACT Supreme Court heard Mr Sofronoff made 65 phone calls to journalists between February and July 2023, totaling almost 10 hours, the court heard.

Fifty-five of those calls were to people from The Australian, but mainly to columnist Janet Albrechtsen. Those conversations lasted a total of more than seven hours.

During the actual public hearing, the court was told that Mr Sofronoff had made 10 calls to The Australian, eight of which were to Ms Albrechtsen.

The case will return to court later this month.