Scott Morrison has moved to make clear his apology to Brittany Higgins following issues it may have an effect on the trial of the person charged along with her alleged rape, stating it was “certainly not a mirrored image on the issues earlier than a court docket”.
The prime minister on Tuesday apologised in parliament to Higgins for the “horrible issues that happened” throughout her time working in Canberra. That prompted a rebuke from Warwick Korn, the lawyer representing the person accused of her rape, Bruce Lehrmann.
Korn advised Information Corp Australia the prime minister’s feedback may scale back the possibilities of Lehrmann having a good jury trial.
“In gentle of the complexity, problem and significance of the duty earlier than any jury already, the behaviour of our prime minister and others on this previous 24 hours actually beggars perception,” he stated.
Morrison’s workplace subsequently sought to make clear his feedback.
A spokesperson stated on Friday the apology referred typically to “the numerous horrible experiences Ms Higgins has detailed throughout her time working at Parliament Home and the remedy that she has described receiving while working right here. That is certainly not a mirrored image on the issues earlier than a court docket.”
The ACT supreme court docket has set a tentative trial date for June.
Lehrmann is accused of raping Higgins in a parliamentary workplace in 2019 and faces one cost of sexual activity with out consent.
He denies the cost, saying no type of sexual exercise happened, and the trial is anticipated to final three to 4 weeks.
The ACT supreme court docket now not permits judge-alone trials for sexual assault instances, that means the matter should go earlier than a jury.
The jury choice course of and judicial instructions are typically used to make sure exterior commentary and pre-trial publicity doesn't compromise jurors’ capability to behave impartially.
The ACT’s director of public prosecutions declined to remark.
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