High Court statement reveals investigation findings of sexual harassment, denied by former High Court judge Dyson Heydon

The High Court has revealed an independent investigation it commissioned has found six former associates were sexually harassed by former Justice Dyson Heydon.

In a statement, the court said it was advised of the allegations last year.

The investigation was undertaken by Dr Vivienne Thom, who used to serve as the Federal Government's Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security.

High Court Chief Justice Susan Kiefel said the findings were of "extreme concern" to all of the current members of the High Court bench and the court's staff.

"We're ashamed that this could have happened at the High Court of Australia," she said in a statement.

"We have made a sincere apology to the six women whose complaints were borne out.

"We know it would have been difficult to come forward. Their accounts of their experiences at the time have been believed."

Chief Justice Kiefel said she had spoken to several of the former judge's associates and told them she "valued their insights and suggestions for change".

She said the court had adopted recommendations from the inquiry.

A number of the women have requested confidentiality.

It is understood five of the associates who made the allegations worked for Mr Heydon, while one worked for a different High Court judge.

Five of the female associates who made the allegations worked for Mr Heydon, while one worked for a different High Court judge

Chief Justice Susan Kiefel says the findings are of "extreme concern" to all High Court staff

The former justice denies that he sexually harassed female associates and apologises for any offence "inadvertently" caused

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-22/former-high-court-judge-sexually-harrassed-several-associates/12381236