Former prime minister Scott Morrison will stand witness during the defamation trial Senator Linda Reynolds has brought against Brittany Higgins in Western Australia’s supreme court.

Reynolds is suing Higgins over social media comments she made about her sexual assault in Parliament House. Higgins criticised Reynolds for her mishandling of the case. Shortly after this the senator suffered a public breakdown.

Reynolds’ partner Robert Reid has testified about how Higgins’ comments had lead to tremendous public scrutiny and a strain on their relationship.

“It has changed our lives utterly,” he said.

“Linda now will have to take blood pressure monitors … the medication she has to take.”

In 2021 Reynolds was demoted from her position as Defence Minister, and since then the senator claims that her social life, professional life, and health have been significantly impacted.

Morrison, who was prime minister at the time of Higgins’ alleged rape, will step into the witness box to answer questions regarding comments Reynolds made to him about the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins as part of determining the legitimacy of Reynolds’ conduct.

At the time, he acknowledged that Reynolds’ description of Higgins as a ‘lying cow’ was offensive.

After a review by the sex discrimination commissioner, Morrison apologised in parliament to victims of bullying, sexual assault and sexual harassment in federal politics, including Higgins.

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