Steven Whybrow, Lehrmann’s defence barrister, spoke to The Weekend Australian and raises the conversation on how the presumption of innocence and due process was warped by the #MeToo movement.

The Brittany Higgins and Bruce Lehrmann case in Australia has set a precedent going forward. We can’t believe someone on face value if there are inconsistencies in their story, can we? Well, we did. We even awarded a journalist, Lisa Wilkinson, a Logie on her interview with the complainant who then proceeded to make her acceptance speech, prejudicing the trial. It’s scary to think Lehrmann may have been convicted of sexual assault if the trial wasn’t delayed three months because of this action. Both the media and the politician’s behaviour throughout disrespected the basic human right to innocent until proven guilty. That one just flew out the window on this case, along with the rule book. The jury is out on this one too, literally. The charges were dropped against Lehrmann.

#MeToo, has in many respects, metastasised into, for a lot of people, #BelieveAllWomen.

Steven Whybrow-Lehrmann’s defence barrister

It seems everyone lost site of justice, even the Department of Public Prosecutions and that’s their job, along with other media and political powers. It’s scandalous to witness this happening in today’s world. Do we need to be afraid of this behaviour? Of course we do! Undermining the presumption of innocence, a right to silence, and the rule of law in Australia has shown an ugly side of human nature and has been played out for all of us to see. Are we going to allow this to be the way forward? Is this what we are teaching our children about fairness and respect for human rights, and the law?

Sub judice is Latin legal shorthand for laws that prevent public comments about proceedings that have the potential to interfere with the administration of justice and, therefore, a fair trial.

JANET ALBRECHTSEN-The australian Weekend

More about this story in the links below.

Read in The Australian: https://apple.news/AF7xkiz-sS6WYQvYbPhKBLg

Read in The Australian: https://apple.news/ANQHCOeehQk-dMPhX4W0_-Q