Walter Sofronoff’s communication with columnist during Lehrmann inquiry gave rise to impression of bias, court finds

Judge overturns one finding against former ACT director of public prosecutions, Shane Drumgold

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Walter Sofronoff’s extensive communications with a columnist at The Australian gave rise to an impression of bias against former ACT director of public prosecutions, Shane Drumgold, during his inquiry into the Bruce Lehrmann trial, a court has found.

Justice Stephen Kaye handed down his judgment in Drumgold’s case against Sofronoff and the ACT government on Monday afternoon, finding the inquiry head’s 273 interactions with columnist, Janet Albrechtsen, gave the impression he “might have been influenced by the views held and publicly expressed” by the columnist.