Prime Minister Scott Morrison is sticking by Defence Minister Linda Reynolds after she called alleged rape survivor Brittany Higgins a 'lying cow’.
The PM confirmed he would not sack her and said she had apologised to staff over her comments, which Ms Reynolds claims was not related to the rape allegation.
“She apologised to the staff about making what were inappropriate comments, long before it became public,” the PM said today.
“I would just simply say to people – you know, it’s been a very traumatic several weeks for many people.”
He stressed that people involved in the various scandals were “human beings” who “say things that sometimes they deeply regret”.
“I’m sure that all of you have found yourself, at a time of frustration, perhaps saying things you regret,” he said.
“And I would simply ask you, given the comment was made in a private place, that you offer the same generosity to how you perceive something you might have said, and perhaps apply the same standard to Linda Reynolds who, at the time, was under significant stress.
“She deeply regrets it. They were offensive remarks. She should never have made them. I don’t condone them. But what matters is that we continue to address the substance of the issues here, as we are.”
Mr Morrison said Linda Reynolds was under “significant stress” when she called Brittany Higgins a “lying cow”.
