Friends dropped out of group chats and cut off contact with ex-Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann after Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations aired in a high-profile TV interview.

The former federal Liberal staffer rejected the allegation he raped Ms Higgins in a Parliament House office while giving evidence under oath for the first time on Thursday.

Lehrmann is suing Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson in the Federal court over a February 2021 report on The Project that featured an interview with Higgins.

Lehrmann said after The Project broadcast a red “eject” button was posted in a Facebook chat. Image: Federal Court handout

The law student told the court he was ostracised by friends and blocked and unfriended on social media after the rape allegations aired, despite the fact he was not named in the TV report.

Lehrmann said following The Project broadcast someone posted an image of a red “eject” button in a Facebook chat with Nationals state and federal staffers before every other member of the group left.

A screenshot of the group chat and the “eject” message were released among a series of exhibits by the court.

Other screenshots show two other people leaving a different Facebook messenger group.

Lehrmann was also removed from a group chat called “The Triumvirate”.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Lehrmann said he became “severely isolated” after the allegations were aired.

“De-friending, cutting me off, removing me from group chats, blocking me, the list goes on,” he said.

“I shut down my Facebook, my Instagram, my Twitter, LinkedIn as well.

“It sent me into a deep spiral.”

But other texts released by the court on Thursday showed some friends offering support.

“As a mate, I need to call you brother,” one friend said.

“Just thought I’d let you know I don’t believe anything floating around out there,” another wrote in the days after the story broke.

Higgins claims Lehrmann sexually assaulted her in the office of their then-boss, former defence industry minister Linda Reynolds, in the early hours of March 22, 2019.

The criminal trial in the ACT Supreme Court over Higgins’ rape allegations was derailed by juror misconduct and prosecutors did not seek a second trial because of concerns over her mental health.

Lehrmann has always denied the allegations.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636

– AAP