Walter Sofronoff’s ‘private and secret’ texts with Janet Albrechtsen could lead to impression of bias, court told

Text messages between Walter Sofronoff and Janet Albrechtsen demonstrate a ‘closeness’ that could lead to an impression of bias, the ACT supreme court has heard. Composite: Jono Searle/AAP/ABC

Walter Sofronoff’s “private and secret” text messages with a columnist at the Australian demonstrated “preferential treatment” and a “closeness” that could lead to an impression of bias, a court has heard.

Janet Albrechtsen’s 273 interactions with the head of an inquiry into the failed prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann are at the centre of a legal challenge by the former ACT director of public prosecutions Shane Drumgold, who wants to quash the inquiry’s adverse findings against him.