The chief prosecutor in the Bruce Lehrmann rape trial described the AFP detectives investigating the case as “boofheads” and didn’t want them giving evidence at the trial.
Defence barrister Steve Whybrow SC, who represented Mr Lehrmann in the criminal trial, makes the claim in his own 71-page submission to the inquiry.
The ACT’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shane Drumgold SC’s own explosive submissions to the inquiry also includes accusations police engaged in “unsophisticated corruption” or “atomic-level stupidity”.
Mr Whybrow’s statement outlines what the defence barrister said happened after his legal team sent an email on October 11, 2022 about the police they wanted to call as witnesses.
The defence wanted to call Detective Marcus Boorman, Detective Scott Moller and the former Liberal minister Michaelia Cash.
Mr Whybrow said that Mr Drumgold then approached him during the trial and made the following observation.
“Any opinion by those boofheads about the strength of this case is not admissible,” he said, according to Mr Whybrow.
An independent inquiry into how the justice system handled the rape allegation made by former Ms Higgins is taking place. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage
In his submission to the inquiry, Mr Whybrow criticises the DPP for making the remarks.
“I did not think at the time, and do not think now, that the comment was appropriate,’’ Mr Whybrow said. “I do not recall that I said anything in response.”
Mr Whybrow said that later in the...
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