Senator Reynolds is suing Higgins over a series of social media posts containing alleged mistruths that she believes damaged her reputation.
Morrison is expected to step into the witness box in the Perth court on Tuesday to answer questions about what he was told by the senator about the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins and when.
It follows evidence from Senator Reynolds’s partner Robert Reid.
Reid told the trial on Monday the “whole saga has had an immeasurable impact on Linda, on myself”.
“It has affected every part of our life,” he told the Western Australian Supreme Court.
Reid said the senator and his love was based on travel, politics, humour, family and spending time at the senator’s Bali home.
That all changed in 2021 when Higgins went public with accusations about the senator covering up her alleged rape in 2019.
It led to Senator Reynolds having a public breakdown and being diagnosed with serious cardiac issues, the trial has been told.
“It has changed our lives utterly,” he said.
He said the senator’s medical issues had impacted her ability to travel.
Reid said the couple’s relationship with his children from his first marriage was also impacted.
He said his daughter didn’t initially believe the senator’s version of events.
“When this first erupted, in 2021, I know who she believed and it wasn’t Linda to start with,” he said.
“There was reticence from my daughter to engage with Linda.”
Reid also said Higgins’ allegations and the political firestorm that followed also impacted the senator’s social life.
“Linda’s invitation list has shrunk. Just the other day, there was an event where the leader of the opposition had to ask somebody to represent him in a function,” he said.
“Now I know the people he asked, one of them accepted. I actually suggested Linda as an option and his office said ‘wish her well’.”
Senator Reynolds’ interaction with the public has also changed, Reid told the court.
“It has affected how people come up to her, some to sneer, the great majority of people to say ‘well done, keep it going’,” he said.
In a high-profile defamation battle, former Prime Minister Scott Morrison is set to provide evidence in the ongoing legal dispute between Senator Linda Reynolds and Brittany Higgins. The lawsuit revolves around social media posts by Higgins that Senator Reynolds claims tarnished her reputation.
Morrison is anticipated to testify about what he knew regarding Higgins’ alleged assault and when he was informed. The case has also involved testimony from Senator Reynolds’ partner, Robert Reid, who detailed the significant impact the situation has had on their lives.
The trial has shed light on the strain on Senator Reynolds, including health issues and changes in social interactions. The controversy has not only affected her personal life but also her public image. The legal proceedings are set to continue as more evidence is presented in court.
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