THE SQUIZ
The ACT Government is facing growing political and legal pressure to release a 600-page report which has been scathing of its Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold. The Australian (paywall) has published many of the damning findings in the report, which found Drumgold knowingly lied to the court and didn’t act fairly during the prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann over the alleged assault of former political staffer Brittany Higgins. Drumgold says he hasn’t seen the report, so he can’t respond, while the territory’s Coalition opposition called for him to be sacked immediately.

THAT ALL SOUNDS PRETTY SERIOUS…
It sure is – and reports say it’s got the legal fraternity and local government in a spin. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr hasn’t commented since the findings of the leaked report were splashed yesterday, but a spokesman said the government’s sticking to its timetable and will only publish the report once Cabinet has considered the findings. And there is a lot to consider… The most serious parts of former Queensland judge Walter Sofronoff’s report include that Drumgold made “untrue” representations to the Supreme Court and that failing to disclose evidence to the defence was a “serious breach of duty” by failing. Legal experts say the top prosecutor may face an investigation for attempting to pervert the course of justice.

ANY OTHER FALLOUT?
Oh yeah… It’s also emerged Senator Linda Reynolds (aka Higgins and Lehrmann’s former boss) is suing Higgins for defamation over posts to social media last month. According to Western Australian Supreme Court documents, Reynolds is seeking damages from Higgins and an injunction to stop her from doing it again. The Perth-based senator also has legal action underway against Higgins’ partner David Sharaz. And that’s not the end of this whole affair… You might recall that Lehrmann is taking defamation action against Network Ten and former Project host Lisa Wilkinson. He is also considering a multi-million dollar claim against the ACT Department of Public Prosecutions for its handling of his case.