Exclusive: Letter from Shane Drumgold to ACT police chief, obtained under FOI, calls for inquiry into ‘political and police conduct’ during investigation of Brittany Higgins claims.
The chief prosecutor in the trial of Bruce Lehrmann complained that police officers engaged in “a very clear campaign to pressure” him not to prosecute the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins, saying there was “inappropriate interference” and he felt investigators “clearly aligned with the successful defence of this matter” during the trial.
Drumgold’s letter, obtained by the Guardian through freedom of information laws, alleges Higgins herself felt bullied by investigators. The letter calls for a public inquiry to examine “both political and police conduct” in the case.
He alleged that, during his first meeting with police about the case in March 2021, investigators had used selective evidence and “loaded characterisations” in an attempt to persuade him to agree with their position, which was that charges should not be laid.
Drumgold also requested that police cease any involvement in the then-looming retrial, save for their roles as witnesses.