Lisa Wilkinson seeks to prove Brittany Higgins rape allegation as part of defamation defence

Lawyers for the journalist Lisa Wilkinson will seek to prove the former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann raped his colleague Brittany Higgins as the journalist defends a defamation claim brought against her.

Lehrmann has consistently maintained his innocence to allegations that he raped Higgins, a fellow political staffer, on a couch in the office of the then defence industry minister, Linda Reynolds.

But if the court allows the claim to proceed despite the limitation period, as Lehrmann is arguing it should, Wilkinson will seek to rely on multiple defences and argue that Lehrmann was not identified in the reports.

Wilkinson will also seek to argue that the imputations were true and that the case attracts qualified privilege.

In his claim, Lehrmann alleged Wilkinson acted recklessly in her reporting. Wilkinson denied the allegation in her defence.