Bruce Lehrmann defamation trial: Read the email Brittany Higgins sent man she accused of rape three days after the alleged incident: Phoning a friend'

On Friday morning, a segment of Bruce Lehrmann's interview on 7News Spotlight was played for the Federal Court.

During that TV interview, which aired earlier this year, Mr Lehrmann was quizzed about why he gave three different reasons as to why he went to Parliament House with Brittany Higgins on the night of the alleged assault, before 2am on March 23, 2019.

He told security that he was there to collect some documents, he told his chief of staff Fiona Brown three days later days that he was there to have a drink.

He then told the Australian Federal Police in April 2021 that he was there to collect his keys and make notes on Question Time briefs.

In court on Friday, Ten's barrister Matthew Collins KC asked: 'You agree the version you told Ms Brown was a lie?'

Mr Lehrmann agreed.

Brittany Higgins sent Bruce Lehrmann a work email three days after she alleges he raped her, asking for his professional help.

Mr Lehrmann strongly denies raping Ms Higgins.

He was asked about the email in the Federal Court on Thursday, during his defamation case against Lisa Wilkinson and Channel Ten.

On Friday, the email was published on the Federal Court's website.

Mr Lehrmann received the email from Ms Higgins at 10.28am on Tuesday, March 26, 2019.

At the time, were both advisors to then-defence industry minister Linda Reynolds.

It read: 'Hi Bruce - I'm phoning a friend, need some help with the task Drew sent me. I'm hoping to utilise your parliamentary network to get portfolio stats from whichever offices you can.

'Essentially we are wanting to get a state/territory one page breakdown of achievements to generate some TPs (talking points) from each portfolio to put into our campaign prep pack. Would you mind maybe helping out by chance?'

Mr Lehrmann said Ms Higgins was asking him to help her with a task to help Senator Reynolds as she travelled to different electorates.

Bruce Lehrmann will be cross-examined in the Federal Court for a second day on Friday, during his defamation trial against Lisa Wilkinson and Network Ten.

On Thursday, Ten's barrister Matthew Collins KC asked several times whether he remembered specific conversations with former colleagues within the weeks Brittany Higgins alleges he raped her, in March 2019.

He repeatedly said: 'Dr Collins, I don't recall.

Mr Lehrmann also denied trying to kiss Ms Higgins a few weeks earlier.

Dr Collins suggested to Mr Lehrmann that, on March 15, 2019, he left a dinner at the same time as Ms Higgins at about 9.30pm.

'As you were saying goodbye to Ms Higgins you leant into her and tried to kiss her on the lips,' Dr Collins said.

Mr Lehrmann replied: 'Absolutely not.'

Dr Collins continued: 'And, Ms Higgins rebuffed you by waving you away and saying no.'

Mr Lehrmann said: 'I deny that I've made any advance to Ms Higgins, ever.'

The hearing will resume at 10.15am.

The day after Brittany Higgins' rape allegations were aired on The Project, Bruce Lehrmann checked himself into a mental health facility and realised he had missed calls from his mother.

According to his affidavit, published on the Federal Court's website on Thursday, Mr Lehrmann had thoughts of suicide following the broadcast on February 15, 2021,and was afraid his loved ones would identify him as the alleged rapist.

He has always maintained his innocence.

'On February 16, 2021, I was admitted to Royal North Shore for psychiatric care,' the affidavit read.

He realised he had a missed call from his mother while he was on the way to the hospital, and called her back while he was in the emergency room.

His mother said: 'I have seen media reports, you worked for Linda [Reynolds], did you work with this Brittany Higgins?'

Mr Lehrmann replied: 'Yes, I did work for Senator Reynolds and worked with Ms Higgins for a couple of weeks.'

In the court document, Mr Lehrmann said he was 'extremely upset' during that phone conversation and was concerned her health would be impacted by the allegations against him.