Brittany Higgins has indicated her fight is not over as she responded publicly for the first time since the planned re-trial of Bruce Lehrmann was abandoned.

Ms Higgins issued a statement on Twitter late on Wednesday which she said was in light of “recent developments”.

This referred to widespread reports that Bruce Lehrmann was planning defamation action against media outlets.

Ms Higgins has accused Mr Lehrmann of raping her inside Parliament House in 2019.

Mr Lehrmann has consistently denied the allegation and maintained the pair never had any sexual interaction.

In a statement posted online, Ms Higgins said she was willing to testify as a witness in any civil action pursued by Mr Lehrmann.

“Following recent developments, I feel the need to make it clear if required I am willing to defend the truth as a witness in any potential civil cases brought about by Mr Lehrmann,” she tweeted.

Tweet from @BrittHiggins_

Sydney law firm Mark O’Brien Legal on Wednesday confirmed it would represent Mr Lehrmann in potential defamation proceedings.

This included legal action over “statements, broadcasts and social media posts” about him after criminal charges were dropped on Friday.

ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold said he would not be proceeding with a second trial due to the “unacceptable risk” it posed to Ms Higgins’ life.

Grace Tame slams ‘character assassination’

Grace Tame posted this photo which she said belied the truth of their seemingly happy smiles. Photo: Instagram

Meanwhile Grace Tame has paid an emotional tribute to Ms Higgins on her birthday, praising her friend who she said bears the weight of constant public scrutiny.

Ms Tame posted a lengthy monologue to Instagram describing the toll of the public’s judgment and took a swipe at online trolls.

She said her friend had been the target of “an insidious nationwide character assassination campaign” fuelled by “online gossip”.

“Brittany Higgins has taken every step of her excruciating journey under a microscope; with a nation breathing down her neck. This is no mean feat,” wrote Ms Tame.

“Over the past 18 months of getting to know Brittany Higgins I have been moved by a person who is thoughtful and measured, who is reserved and self-effacing.

“I have been awed and floored by her intelligence, kindness, vulnerability and determination to keep fighting.”

She said Ms Higgins was a “national hero”.

“I am not a judge or jury, but I am a person who has also walked repeatedly in the line of fire – often alone – and it is not for the faint-hearted.

“However, it is not for this reason that I stand with Brittany. It is simply because she is a decent human being.

“I stand with Brittany because I have compassion for her.”

-with AAP