WA news LIVE: Scott Morrison prepared to take witness stand in Reynolds, Higgins character assassination row; Lobster off the menu for Chinese diplomat

Key posts 1 of 2 Latest posts 6.47 pm Good night By Emma Young Good night readers, and thanks for joining our live blog site as soon as again. For the news addicts amongst you, Jesinta Burton will release on the primary website a full-length rundown on the Linda Reynolds character assassination case hearing listed below. We’ll likewise have another amazing story up after 6pm. And obviously, the live blog site will be back brilliant and early tomorrow! See you then. 6.15 pm Scott Morrison prepared to take witness stand in Reynolds, Higgins disparagement row By Jesinta Burton Former prime minister Scott Morrison has actually been called amongst the prominent witnesses contacted us to provide proof in WA Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds’ high-stakes disparagement trial versus previous staffer Brittany Higgins. On Tuesday, the WA Supreme Court was informed Morrison had actually submitted and signed a witness summary ahead of the libel trial to begin in late July. The court was informed the package of proof adduced by Reynolds’ legal group would likewise consist of sworn testament from WA Senator Michaelia Cash and her previous chief of personnel. Money’s presence in-person will depend upon parliamentary sitting dates, with Higgins’ legal representatives continuing a push to postpone the slated July 24 start date to accommodate brand-new WA-based counsel. Outdoors court, Reynolds’ legal representative Martin Bennett informed the waiting press pack Morrison was anticipated to be overseas at the time of the trial, however was prepared to provide proof from another location if needed. And Reynolds, who made a surprise look at court, discussed Morrison by name while sharing her thankfulness to her previous parliamentary associates for their assistance. In 2021, Higgins declared she was raped in Reynolds’ parliamentary workplace by her coworker Bruce Lehrmann– a claim Lehrmann has actually long rejected. Lehrmann is appealing a choice by Federal Court Justice Michael Lee in an April 2024 civil disparagement case that, on the balance of possibilities, he did rape Higgins. A rape charge versus him was withdrawn in after his 2022 criminal trial was terminated due to juror misbehavior. Filling Reynolds, the previous employer of Lehrmann and Higgins, has actually dealt with years of criticism over her handling of Higgins’ rape claims. The senator stated the continuous fallout had a considerable influence on her and others, with her physician amongst those anticipate
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