The ACT government is under scrutiny for not providing people named in a landmark report into the justice system with a copy of the document.

The findings from the inquiry into the ACT justice system’s handling of Brittany Higgins’ rape allegation will be released next week.

But several media outlets received the report from the board of inquiry – headed by former Queensland judge Walter Sofronoff – without permission from, or the knowledge of, the territory government.

The ACT government said the action had “affected the inquiry process and harmed people involved”.

The government had planned to take time to consider the findings before publication but has brought that date forward.

A spokeswoman said the government was “disappointed” the report had been released to select media outlets under embargo, a decision that was not authorised by the territory administration.

She said in a statement the unauthorised release of information had harmed people involved.

Friday’s developments came as former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann said he would sue the ACT over its handling of Ms Higgins’ allegations, and his rape trial, which was abandoned last October.

“I’ve instructed my solicitors to prepare a statement of claim against the state,” he said in a statement released by his lawyers and reported by the Nine newspapers.

“I’ve got lawyers that need to be paid, people who have supported me, like my mum and uncle, who need to be supported.

“I’m not interested in becoming a millionaire, but I do want to perhaps get on with my life and maybe buy a house.”

“Given what the prosecution has done to me, I may never work again.”

Mr Lehrmann is already suing several media outlets and journalists over their reporting of the rape allegations. He  has always maintained his innocence, and no finding has been made against him.

He is suing the Ten Network and former presenter of The Project Lisa Wilkinson, as well as News Life Media (the publisher of news.com.au) and journalist Samantha Maiden.

Also on Friday, ACT director of public prosecutions Shane Drumgold, who was a key figure in the court case and gave evidence at the inquiry, said he was yet to receive a copy of the report from the Sofronoff inquiry.

Mr Drumgold has taken leave until the end of the month while the government considers the findings.

ACT Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee said there was a legal obligation for people with adverse findings made against them in a report to have been notified.

Ms Lee said the government should immediately release the report.

“If there is going to be some adverse findings in this report the people who are affected should have already been notified,” she told ABC radio on Friday.

Mr Lehrmann was charged with raping Ms Higgins at Parliament House after a night out in 2019, but he has always denied the allegations.

His trial was aborted due to juror misconduct. Prosecutors later dropped the charge over fears about the effect of a second trial on Ms Higgins’ mental health.

– with AAP