InternationalNews

Linda Reynolds: Australian minister ‘regrets’ slur on alleged rape victim – PM

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said his defence minister “deeply regrets” making “offensive remarks” about an alleged rape victim.

Linda Reynolds has not denied a report that she referred to her former aide Brittany Higgins as a “lying cow”.

Ms Higgins has alleged she was raped by one of Ms Reynolds’ ex-advisers – a charge that has rocked the government.

When asked if Ms Reynolds should quit, the PM said her remark had come “in her private office in a stressful week”.

Last month, the former political adviser alleged she had been attacked in Ms Reynolds’ office at Parliament House after a night out in 2019. The man was later sacked for a separate reason.

The Australian newspaper reported Ms Reynolds had made her disparaging remark on the day Ms Higgins told her story to the media.

In a statement, Ms Reynolds said she had never questioned Ms Higgins’ sexual assault allegation.

“I did however comment on news reports surrounding circumstances that I felt had been misrepresented,” the defence minister said late on Wednesday.

Responding on Thursday, Ms Higgins said the remark was “incredibly hurtful” and such language was “never excusable”.

“It’s just further evidence of the toxic workplace culture that exists behind closed doors in Parliament House,” she said.

On Thursday, Mr Morrison said he had spoken to Ms Reynolds and she had acknowledged the comments were “inappropriate and wrong”.

Ms Higgins’ decision to go public has prompted a wave of other allegations – including a rape accusation against Attorney General Christian Porter which he strongly denies.

Source:Fiilafmonline/BBC

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Close