The former ACT Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shane Drumgold expressed fears about political interference and a lack of support from the government before he was forced to resign, according to documents released under freedom of information laws.
Background to the Resignation
Drumgold, who served as the ACT's top prosecutor from 2019, resigned in October 2023 after a review by the ACT Board of Inquiry found he had engaged in misconduct. The inquiry examined his handling of the prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann, who was accused of raping Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019. Lehrmann's trial was abandoned due to juror misconduct, and a retrial was dropped due to concerns about Higgins' mental health.
The documents, released to the Canberra Times, show that Drumgold had written to the ACT Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury in June 2023, warning that he was being subjected to "political pressure" and that his office was being "undermined." He claimed that the government had failed to provide adequate resources for his office and that he was being treated unfairly.
Details of the Concerns
In his letter, Drumgold stated: "I have been subjected to a campaign of political interference and harassment that has made my position untenable." He also expressed concerns about the independence of the DPP, saying that the government had attempted to influence his decisions in the Lehrmann case. He further alleged that the ACT government had not provided sufficient support for his office, leaving it under-resourced and unable to effectively prosecute cases.
Impact and Aftermath
The release of these documents has reignited debate about the independence of the DPP and the role of political interference in the justice system. Drumgold's resignation led to the appointment of an acting DPP, and a review of the office's operations is underway. The ACT government has denied any political interference, with Attorney-General Rattenbury stating that the government has "always respected the independence of the DPP."
The case has also had broader implications for the handling of sexual assault allegations in the ACT, with calls for reforms to the way such cases are prosecuted. The fallout from the Lehrmann case continues, with Higgins and Lehrmann both pursuing legal action against various parties.
