Australia’s leading television network has refuted claims suggesting it engaged in illicit activities, including the payment of sex workers and drugs, to secure an interview with an alleged rapist.
A former Seven Network producer, Taylor Auerbach, made the allegations while giving evidence in a defamation case.
Bruce Lehrmann is suing another channel, Network 10, over what he says are false claims he raped a colleague.
Seven has faced intense scrutiny over its exclusive with Mr Lehrmann but says it “acted appropriately at all times”.
“Seven is appalled by the allegations made in recent days. We do not condone the behaviours described in these allegations. They do not reflect the culture of Seven,” a spokesperson said.
The emergence of these accusations has led to a sudden resumption of Lehrmann’s defamation case, just two days before the scheduled delivery of the judgment.
“Let sunlight be the best disinfectant,” Justice Michael Lee said when reopening the defamation case.
The rape allegation was made by Brittany Higgins in February 2021, claiming she was raped by a colleague inside Canberra’s Parliament House in 2019.
Though he was not named in the report by journalist Lisa Wilkinson for Network 10 programme The Project, Mr Lehrmann says he was easily identifiable.
He was charged by the police six months later over the allegation but pleaded not guilty.
Melissa Enoch
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