Linda Reynolds fires back after Brittany Higgins' apology - as bitter court battle looms

Brittany Higgins shared a cryptic Instagram post following Linda Reynolds' blunt response to her 'olive branch' apology.

Ms Higgins apologised to her former boss, Linda Reynolds, following a landmark Federal Court ruling that found her former colleague, Bruce Lehrmann, guilty of rape.

The verdict was delivered in Lehrmann's defamation case against Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson.

In his findings, Justice Michael Lee rejected Ms Higgins' claims Ms Reynolds was involved in a political cover-up of her sexual assault inside Parliament House in 2019.

In a statement on Saturday, Ms Higgins wrote: 'Senator Reynolds and Fiona Brown have also been hurt and for that I am also sorry.

'My perceptions and feelings about what happened in the days and weeks after my rape are different from theirs. 

'I deeply regret we have not yet found common ground.'

Ms Reynolds shared her own statement on Sunday in which she said she 'appreciated' Ms Higgins' apology and hoped the court ruling would 'give her peace'.

However, she noted her own legal action against Ms Higgins and her partner, David Sharaz, was 'never about the allegation of rape'.

Instead, Ms Reynolds' action is focused on allegations she 'failed to support Ms Higgins' which came at 'enormous emotional and financial cost'.

'I have fought for three years to expose the truth in relation to my conduct,' she wrote.

'What still lies between us are not different perceptions. It is a fact that Ms Higgins received our support and that there was no cover up. 

'The common ground we now find must be based on the truth.'

Ms Reynolds added Monday's ruling would not affect her own action, writing: 'As a matter of law, neither of us, nor Mr Sharaz, are bound by Justice Lee's decision.

'If Ms Higgins does not accept Justice Lee's findings on the claims of coverup and mistreatment then, regrettably, it will have to be proved again in our trial set for July this year.'

Ms Higgins shared a cryptic message to her Instagram story shortly after Ms Reynolds' statement was released.

'Ah. Wonderful. Keep showing people the truth of who you really are,' Ms Higgins wrote.

The post has since been deleted. 

It comes as the countdown continues for Lehrmann to recover his smeared reputation.

The Federal Court earlier this week found Lehrmann raped Ms Higgins in the office of their former boss inside Parliament House during March 2019 and dismissed his defamation case against Network Ten and TV host Lisa Wilkinson.

Appeals against a Federal Court ruling must be filed within 28 days - meaning Lehrmann has just 23 days left to file against Justice Michael Lee's verdict.

It's important to note civil court proceedings are held to a lower standard than those in the criminal court.

Lehrmann previously faced a criminal trial over Ms Higgins' rape allegations but the trial was aborted due to juror misconduct. 

A second trial was abandoned due to Ms Higgins' deteriorating mental health.

More to come.