Lisa Wilkinson’s lawyer takes on Bruce Lehrmann for the first time – as he reveals all-night cocaine habit after Project interview and texts come to light

Bruce Lehrmann appears to have lost two good friends, John McGowan and Harry Hughes.

The revelation was made in the Federal Court on Monday when Mr Lehrmann was cross-examined by Network Ten’s lawyer Matthew Collins KC.

Dr. Collins asked about a series of WhatsApp messages he received on February 15, 2021 – the day Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations against him were first published.

Mr Lehrmann has consistently denied raping Ms Higgins.

That morning, Mr Hughes – the cousin of former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull – asked Mr Lehrmann: “Do you know this girl?”

Mr. Lehrmann responded, “Yes, I worked with her briefly. (She) was at team drinks etc.”

When asked to describe his relationship with Mr Hughes, the former Liberal staffer told the court he was a friend but is no longer one.

In May, the pair were pictured laughing together during a long lunch at Bondi Trattoria.

At one point, Mr. Lehrmann put his arm around Mr. Hughes as they left the room.

On Monday, the court also heard that Lehrmann was no longer friends with political operative John McGowan.

On February 15, 2021, Mr McGowan sent him a WhatsApp message to try to establish who Ms Higgins’ alleged rapist was.

Mr McGowan asked: “Do you have any (gossip) about who the Canberra rape man is, it says ‘rising star’ in the text so that rules out our friends but who else?”

Mr Lehrmann replied: ‘No idea, no idea at all… I have not been approached.’

Dr. Collins asked if Mr McGowan was a friend or media adviser.

Mr. Lehrmann said he was more of a friend, but explained that he did not consider the political operative a friend “anymore.”