Rush accuser ‘made it up’

GEOFFREY Rush’s lawyer has said the actor who accuses the film star of sexual harassment is “making it up”.

Rush, who denies any wrongdoing, is suing The Daily Telegraph for defamation.

He claims articles last year, which reported that a King Lear co-star had complained to the Sydney Theatre Company of “inappropriate behaviour”, had painted him as a “pervert” and a “sexual predator”.

In closing submissions, Sue Chrysanthou, for Mr Rush, told the Federal Court the “alleged distress” of that co-star, Eryn Jean Norvill, was fabricated and self-serving. “She told a lot of lies to your Honour,” Ms Chrysanthou said.

Ms Norvill’s claims must be weighed against “the sea of absent witnesses”, common sense, and her own evidence, which was “rife with contradictions, inconsistencies and recent inventions,” she said.

Tom Blackburn, SC, for the Telegraph, had told Justice Michael Wigney that Ms Norvill was honest and had nothing to gain.

The Telegraph argues the reports drew on Ms Norvill’s allegations and were true.