Five police officers have launched defamation action against the ACT and its former director of public prosecutions Shane Drumgold over allegations about their handling of Bruce Lehrmann’s sexual assault trial. The Australian Federal Police officers alleged in a statement of claim they were defamed by Mr Drumgold in a letterContinue Reading
Defence Minister Richard Marles hitched a ride on a VIP flight from Brisbane to Sydney and back to attend the Matildas’ August 16 World Cup semi-final that had an estimated cost to taxpayers of $16,000. However, he has defended the trip as “in accordance with the relevant guidelines and securityContinue Reading
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles was personally consulted over the decision to stop publishing where politicians are flying on VIP flights during the same period he personally ran up a $3.6 million bill. New documents obtained under freedom of information laws have revealed that the Australian Federal Police conducted theContinue Reading
When Bruce Lehrmann’s rape trial was aborted last year due to juror misconduct, the Director of Public Prosecutions set off a chain of events that led to a public inquiry. Shane Drumgold SC penned a scathing letter to the ACT chief of police and raised concerns about “political and policeContinue Reading
AFP Commander Michael Chew has given evidence that he was told by investigators that Brittany Higgins had “made up” visits to a doctor in relation to her rape allegation and that police did not initially think there was enough evidence to charge. In his first day in the witness box,Continue Reading
The top cop who oversaw the investigation of Brittany Higgins rape allegation has told an inquiry that she ignored repeated warnings to stop talking to the media. Detective Superintendent Scott Moller has given evidence to an inquiry today for a second day about tensions between police, Ms Higgins, her partnerContinue Reading
Prosecutors in the Bruce Lehrmann trial texted each other criticising the conduct of police officers who investigated Brittany Higgins’ allegations, according to documents tendered to an inquiry. The series of text messages sent by Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold and crown prosecutor Skye Jerome on the evening of MayContinue Reading
The prosecutor who ran the trial of Bruce Lehrmann has claimed the juror responsible for derailing the case was the only member of the panel he was unable to convince of the former staffer’s guilt, an inquiry has heard. Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold SC made the observation onContinue Reading
Brittany Higgins’ protected evidence – including her psychological counselling notes – were unlawfully disclosed by police to Bruce Lehrmann’s original defence lawyers in September last year. News.com.au has obtained documents outlining how the disclosure infuriated the Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold who demanded the police retrieve the information urgently.Continue Reading