Shock twist as Bruce Lehrmann reveals who has been paying his rent - as another Australian TV network is dragged into the case

Bruce Lehrmann has admitted that the Seven Network has been paying his rent during cross-examination by Lisa Wilkinson's barrister.

The revelations were heard during Mr Lehrmann's defamation case against Network 10 in the Federal Court on Tuesday afternoon.

Wilkinson's barrister, Sue Chrysanthou SC, asked Mr Lehrmann about what he received in exchange for his interview with Seven's Spotlight program earlier this year.

The network previously said it 'made no payment to Bruce Lehrmann for the interview', but 'assisted with accommodation as part of the filming of the report'.

'Was it part of that agreement that you were paid for 12 months accommodation by Channel Seven?' Ms Chrysanthou asked.

Mr Lehrmann replied: 'That's the only part...that's what I get.'

Ms Chrysanthou continued: 'That occurred from June 2023 and paid until June 2024?'

Mr Lehrmann replied: 'Umm, well, yes. For filming in those places.'

He explained that part of the first Spotlight interview, which aired on Channel Seven in June, was partly filmed in that accommodation.

She then asked how much that was worth but Mr Lehrmann said he didn't know because the 'network handled the accommodation arrangements'.

It is the second major defamation lawsuit Seven, owned by billionaire Kerry Stokes, has been named in this year.

Seven separately bankrolled Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith's unsuccessful defamation suit against Nine Entertainment's publications.

Tuesday marks the fourth day Mr Lehrmann has been cross-examined as part of the defamation trial which began last Wednesday.

Mr Lehrmann is suing Wilkinson and Network 10 in the Federal Court over her 2021 interview with Brittany Higgins on The Project, during which she publicly alleged for the first time that he raped her in Parliament House in 2019.

While he was not named, he claims friends and former colleagues were able to identify him as the alleged rapist.

He has continually maintained his innocence.