Lehrmann will step into the witness box for the third day as his Federal Court defamation trial against Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson continues.

Higgins claims Lehrmann sexually assaulted her in the office of their then-boss, former defence industry minister Linda Reynolds, in the early hours of Saturday March 23, 2019.

The former political staffer is seeking financial compensation, saying a February 2021 report on The Project where Higgins was interviewed about the alleged sexual assault defamed him and “destroyed” his reputation.

Ten’s barrister Matthew Collins KC has so far grilled Lehrmann about inconsistencies in generalised statements he has made about his relationship with Higgins and the work environment.

On Friday, the experienced defamation barrister will move his questioning onto the events of the night in question, drilling down into Lehrmann’s claims about what actually happened.

Lehrmann has settled two other defamation proceedings he brought against News.com.au and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation over separate reports about Higgins’ allegations.

The criminal trial in the ACT Supreme Court over Higgins’ rape allegations was derailed by juror misconduct and prosecutors did not seek a second trial because of concerns over her mental health.

A landmark report into the ACT legal system and the Higgins case was released in August, making damning findings against now ex-director of public prosecutions Shane Drumgold over his conduct during the case.

Lehrmann has separately been accused of raping another woman twice in Toowoomba in October 2021.

That criminal case is still in the committal stage and he is yet to enter a plea, but his lawyers have indicated that he denies the charges.

– AAP