Fiona Brown

Former Coalition minister Linda Reynolds reassured Brittany Higgins she had her “full support” and encouraged her to pursue a police complaint about her alleged rape in Parliament House, the ACT Supreme Court has been told. Senator Reynolds’ then chief-of-staff, Fiona Brown, broke down while detailing the fallout from the alleged March 2019 rape. Accused man Bruce Lehrmann has pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent and denies having sex with Ms Higgins. Giving evidence in court on Tuesday, Ms Brown denied discouraging Ms Higgins from pursuing a complaint about the allegation and said Senator Reynolds encouraged the staffer to speak with the Australian Federal Police. What she told the court could not be reported at the time because it was the subject of a non-publication order until Ms Higgins finished giving her evidence on Friday. During a meeting between Ms Brown, Ms Higgins and Senator Reynolds nine days after the alleged rape, Ms Brown said the minister made it known the staffer was entitled to make a complaint and would be fully supported should she do so.