Details are emerging about Brittany Higgins’ deal with The Project

Brittany Higgins admitted that she “gave her life away” to The Project four days before her explosive rape allegations were first revealed.

There is speculation whether the former political staffer was paid for her 2021 interview on The Project, when she accused a former colleague – later identified as Bruce Lehrmann – of raping her in 2019.

Network 10 has consistently denied paying Ms Higgins more than basic fees, but admits she signed a contract promising everything she said was true.

In a series of delivered text messages to her partner David Sharaz eight days after signing, she revealed her fears of being sued for libel.

“I’m just stressed that this is all going to be a legal issue now,” she admits to Mr. Sharaz.

He tried to address her concerns in a series of replies, saying it would be politically “stupid” to attack her so close to an election.

“You’re not being charged,” he insisted. “They never charge the speaker.”

‘Let it go. You just have to try not to train all possible outcomes.’

He added, “Worst case absolutely worst case. They go after The Project and instead of fighting it, The Project pays a settlement, which is an undisclosed amount etc.”

But Ms. Higgins reveals she fears she will be drawn into the legal proceedings.

“Yes, they’re suing the broadcaster,” she said. “As the person who signed her life with the broadcaster, we’re in this together.”

Ms. Higgins signed Ten’s “Adult Appearance Release” contract on Feb. 3, 2021, promising that all of her allegations are “true and factually correct,” according to court documents.

She expressed fears that she would be charged eight days later, four days before the blockbuster interview aired on February 15, sparking a media and political storm.

But Mr Sharaz insisted she had nothing to worry about during the text exchange on Feb. 11 – adding that it would be politically damaging for anyone to attack her.

“The chances of it happening are slim,” he added. “Busying about it now doesn’t help when you have so many other things on your plate.

“But if that happens, we’ll deal with it. So please don’t feel like you’re on your own. I know you’re worried about that right now.

“Besides, suing you is like doubling the victim right before an election. It would be very stupid politically.’

He added: “Everything was dragged into court, all public. Do they want to make the five hours worth of stuff public? No.’

It is unclear what Mr Sharaz is specifically referring to in the latest text message.

But leaked audio from the pair’s five-hour pre-production meeting with Lisa Wilkinson and project producer Angus Llewellyn in January 2021 caused a stir when it surfaced this month.

The recordings showed the four going over Ms. Higgins’ accusations and plotting the political and media blitz that would follow the broadcast interview.

It also included comments from Ms Wilkinson mocking the coalition pre-selecting the Jacinta Nampijinpa Prize for the Senate and the TV presenter struggling to pronounce the name of the native politician.

Network 10 has repeatedly denied paying Ms Higgins for the interview with The Project, apart from basic costs, which was reiterated in Ten’s defense documents filed in court.

“Ten has not paid Higgins except for her travel and accommodation expenses to come to Sydney to attend the meetings and interviews,” the broadcaster’s defense papers repeat.

They add that Ms Higgins signed an ‘Adult Appearance Release’ fee contract with Ten on 3 February 2021, promising that everything she told them would be ‘true and factually correct’.

Mr Lehrmann strongly denies Ms Higgins’ allegations and his rape trial was dropped in October following misconduct by a juror.

All charges were dropped in December over concerns about Ms Higgins’ mental health.

On December 13, she settled her claim with the Commonwealth for an alleged $2.5 million over her treatment after she made her rape allegation.

Mr. Lehrmann has since launched defamation actions against Ten and Project host Lisa Wilkinson, as well as the ABC.

A third lawsuit against News Life Media was settled amicably.