Natalie Barr’s swipe at Lisa

Sunrise host Natalie Barr has reminded viewers fellow journalist Lisa Wilkinson should have known about the legal ramifications of her infamous Logies speech about Brittany Higgins.

It comes as the highly-anticipated report into the handling of Bruce Lehrmann’s rape trial was leaked on Wednesday.

The inquiry made several damning findings about the conduct of the ACT’s Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold SC, including that he lied to the Supreme Court, as reported by The Australian.

However, the chair, retired judge Walter Sofronoff KC, ultimately determined the decision to charge and prosecute Mr Lehrmann was the correct course of action.

The 600-page report also included findings that Mr Drumgold “knowingly lied” to the ACT Supreme Court over his purported warning to Ms Wilkinson ahead of her Logies speech.

Journalist Samantha Maiden told Sunrise on Thursday said the Channel 10 broadcaster, who had left her role as host of The Project after the fallout of the speech at last year’s Logie ceremony, had been “vindicated” by the inquiry.

“She was accused of all sorts of things and (that) she was given a very clear warning from Shane Drumgold not to give that Logies speech. Walter Sofronoff said she never was (given that warning),” Ms Maiden said.

During the inquiry, Mr Drumgold had stated he’d warned the award-winning journalist about the dangers of making the speech.

Ms Wilkinson always argued she had never received such advice, and Mr Sofronoff ultimately agreed with her evidence in his report.

During the segment, Sunrise host Natalie Barr pointed out that Mr Sofronoff wrote Ms Wilkinson was a “senior broadcaster” who “should have known” better before making the speech.

Mr Sofronoff stated in his report despite Ms Wilkinson being a very experienced broadcaster who should have been cautious ahead of the trial, the DPP ultimately had a responsibility to the court.

Mr Lehrmann had pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting his former colleague Brittany Higgins at Parliament House in 2019.

His trial in the ACT was aborted last October due to jury misconduct and a planned retrial was abandoned due to concerns about Ms Higgins’ mental health.

The single charge of rape was then dropped and there have been no findings made against Mr Lehrmann.

He maintains his innocence.

It’s understood Mr Lehrmann, who is currently suing for defamation against the Channel 10 broadcaster, will also attempt to sue for compensation.