Bruce Lehrmann pulls the plug on 'Presumption of Innocence' conference after court ruled he was a rapist - here's his reason why

Bruce Lehrmann has pulled out of a $110-a-head speaking event organised by a prominent men's rights activist, following his crushing defamation defeat.

Lehrmann was set to headline a conference called 'Restoring the Presumption of Innocence', to be held at an unnamed location in Sydney's Rushcutters Bay on June 1.

The event was organised by author and #MenToo advocate Bettina Arndt, and sponsored by Mothers of Sons - a group of 'ordinary women' whose sons have been falsely accused of gendered violence, according to its website.

It promised to 'challenge the group-think muzzling our cultural dialogue to expose the truth about what counts as justice in Australia' and Lehrmann was to be the star attraction.

However, Mothers of Sons confirmed on social media on Tuesday that he cancelled 'in light of recent events'.

The move came just one day after Federal Court judge Michael Lee found on a civil standard that he raped Brittany Higgins on March 23, 2019.

'In light of recent events, Bruce Lehrmann has decided not to appear at the Restoring the Presumption of Innocence conference,' the post read.

'He is being subject to extremely aggressive pursuit by the media and is concerned that his participation may threaten the audience, jeopardise this important event and distract from its main purpose.

'ASF and Mothers and Sons have accepted his decision, and will find an alternative presenter while ensuring that the Lehrmann case still receives appropriate attention at the conference as a powerful example of trial by media undermining the vital legal principle of the presumption of innocence.'

Lehrmann had sued Channel Ten and Ms Higgins for defamation over an episode of The Project in 2021, during which she made her rape allegations for the first time in a television interview with Lisa Wilkinson.

He was not named in that broadcast but claimed that he was identified by friends and colleagues as Ms Higgins' alleged rapist.

Ms Higgins made her allegations on television before she finished making a formal police complaint and, consequently, Lehrmann believed he was denied the right to a presumption of innocence.

More to come