Bruce Lehrmann has unleashed on Brittany Higgins’ companion David Sharaz accusing him of politically “weaponising” her sexual assault allegation.
Mr Lehrmann, a former Liberal staffer, was charged with Ms Higgins’ rape however was by no means convicted and has at all times maintained his innocence.
He has spoken out about Mr Sharaz after the leak of 1000’s of textual content messages from Ms Higgins’ non-public telephone which present how the couple sought out help of sympathetic Labor MPs.
The fabric – together with her iCloud password – was handed to police as a part of the unique conviction and was by no means tendered in proof on the trial.
Mr Lehrmann advised The Australian newspaper that leaked texts seem to indicate Mr Sharaz politically “weaponising” his companion’s sexual assault in an try and assault the Liberal Social gathering.
“(Appeared) clear that he was there to promote a message and that was the weaponisation of the sexual assault,” Mr Lehrmann stated.
“It wasn’t about me, it was a few larger function, and clearly it was for the Labor Social gathering,” he stated.
Mr Sharaz didn’t need to remark when contacted by information.com.au.
Mr Lehrmann additionally stated proof handed over to police prompt Mr Sharaz was “being the puppet grasp, primarily”.
“He simply retains injecting himself into it,” Mr Lehrmann stated.
“He’s simply extra frightened about how finest to spin it or promote it or drop one thing within the media.
“I believe he’s most likely now driving the wave of Higgins’ fame that he obtained.”
On March 16, 2021, after the story broke Sharaz wrote: “Don’t ditch me now you’re well-known.”
He additionally advised her “we exude energy”.
Ms Higgins has beforehand rejected recommendations that Mr Sharaz was some kind of ‘puppet grasp’ in her determination to go public.
In her personal speech on the girls’s march for justice in March, 2021, she tackled the thought head on.
“I used to be dismayed by senior male journalists who routinely implied that my companion was pulling the strings behind the scenes,’’ she stated.
“The refined inference being {that a} traumatised lady wasn’t able to weaponising her personal story.
“I got here ahead with my story to hopefully shield different girls. By staying silent, I felt like it could have made me complicit, and if one thing of this nature had ever occurred right here once more, my ongoing silence would have inadvertently stated to these individuals in cost that you would be able to deal with individuals on this means and it’s OK.”
Mr Lehrmann pleaded not responsible on the trial and stated the alleged sexual assault “merely didn’t occur”.
Ms Higgins had lengthy credited Mr Sharaz with supporting her throughout a public ordeal.
The couple obtained engaged on New Yr’s Eve simply weeks after the collapse of the rape trial.
“So fortunate to be spending a lifetime with you @davidsharaz,” she stated.
Mr Sharaz stated he was proud to plan a lifetime collectively.
“I didn’t need to enter one other yr with out you understanding that I need to spend all my years with you,” he stated.
“I’m the luckiest man on this planet.”
