A recent revelation sheds light on a secret legal battle involving Lisa Wilkinson and Channel 10. The dispute stems from an excerpt of an interview with Brittany Higgins that was played at the Logies. Fiona Brown, Higgins’ former boss, threatened to sue both Wilkinson and the network over the clip. This exclusive report uncovers the details of this behind-the-scenes drama.
In the emails obtained by Daily Mail Australia, Fiona Brown expressed her objection to a Logies segment featuring Wilkinson’s award-winning interview with Higgins. The interview, originally broadcast in February 2021, disclosed Higgins’ allegations of rape against Bruce Lehrmann, Brown’s colleague. Despite Lehrmann denying the allegations, Brown felt aggrieved by the Logies’ portrayal of the interview.
In a legal letter, Brown’s solicitor claimed damages of $443,000 from Network Ten if the case went to trial. However, they were willing to settle for a payment of $150,000. The Logies incident marked Wilkinson’s second legal issue from the event, with her earlier Logies victory speech causing a delay in Lehrmann’s criminal trial.
In an email response to Channel Ten’s senior litigator, Tasha Smithies, Wilkinson dismissed Brown’s complaint as “utterly ridiculous.” She expressed her disbelief at the claims made and asserted that the Logies content was false.
This legal battle between Brown and Wilkinson adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing Brittany Higgins case. Brown was Higgins’ chief-of-staff when she alleged rape, and their relationship has been contentious ever since. Brown denies the allegations that she didn’t support Higgins and asserts that she offered assistance, including accompanying her to the Australian Federal Police to file a formal complaint.
The Logies incident occurred when a clip of Wilkinson’s Project interview with Higgins was played before an award announcement. The clip included statements made by Higgins against Brown, which were not clear in the correspondence obtained.
Following the Logies, Brown’s solicitor sent a concerns notice to Thomson Geer, Network Ten’s law firm, indicating their intention to initiate defamation proceedings. The notice demanded $150,000 in damages and an apology to be broadcast on The Project, accompanied by signed apologies from Wilkinson and Network Ten.
Network Ten tried to argue that it was too late for Brown to file defamation proceedings, citing a one-year time limit. However, Brown’s legal representative expressed their willingness to argue that it was unreasonable to launch proceedings earlier, seeking an extension to the limitation period.
The saga highlights the friction between Wilkinson and Brown, as well as the broader implications of Higgins’ case. The article includes images of Fiona Brown outside the court during Lehrmann’s defamation trial against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson, as well as Lisa Wilkinson during her Logies acceptance speech. These images visually capture the intensity of the situation and the key players involved.
It is uncertain how this legal dispute will progress, but it underscores the ongoing significance of the Brittany Higgins case and the ripple effects it has on those involved.
Read more: Never-before-seen emails reveal how Lisa Wilkinson argued about one particular word in her Logies speech
Lisa Wilkinson outside the Federal Court last week during her case against Network Ten
Fiona Brown is pictured outside court in December, during Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation trial against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson
Lisa Wilkinson is pictured during her Logies acceptance speech in 2022
Lisa Wilkinson is pictured interviewing Brittany Higgins for The Project episode in February 2021
Brittany Higgins is pictured with her fiancé David Sharaz in France, where they now live
Bruce Lehrmann is pictured outside the Federal Court in Sydney last week
Network Ten’s senior litigator Tasha Smithies is pictured outside the Federal Court last week
