#MeToo movement ‘seemingly affected’ Bruce Lehrmann investigation, inquiry hears

Relationship between ACT police and DPP ‘beset by tension’, first public hearing told

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

The #MeToo movement and “intense public discussions” about low rates of convictions “seemingly affected” decisions made to prosecute Bruce Lehrmann for the alleged sexual assault of Brittany Higgins, an inquiry has heard.

Erin Longbottom, counsel assisting the inquiry into the Australian Capital Territory criminal justice system’s handling of the case, made that submission on Monday morning at the inquiry’s first hearing.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Whether it was proper for ACT police to conduct a second evidence in chief interview with Higgins on 26 May 2021;

“Confusion about whether Mr Lehrmann should be charged and how matters affecting the credibility of Ms Higgins were to be treated by police in deciding whether to charge Mr Lehrmann, and by the DPP in deciding whether to present an indictment”;

Delivery of the brief of evidence to Lehrmann’s lawyers on 6 August, after he was charged but before a plea was entered, which included counselling notes about Higgins; and

“The apparent close engagement” between investigating officers and lawyers for Lehrmann during the trial “which led to some distrust between police and the DPP”.