Australia news live: pressure mounts for inquiry into historical rape allegation made against Christian Porter

The attorney general has denied the allegation, declaring he won’t step down from his post. Follow latest updates

9.22pm GMT

Zali Steggall has also thrown her weight behind calls for an independent inquiry into the historical rape allegations leveled against Attorney-General Christian Porter. (Allegations he vehemently denies)

I think the Australian public deserves to know exactly what is the case. What evidence is there?

We have a situation where very sadly the alleged victim is no longer able to put forward her version of events. We need to know is there any corroborating evidence? What are the facts so that we can clearly assess the weight of the allegations?

9.18pm GMT

Federal NSW independent Zali Steggall has told the Today show she was shocked to hear defence minister Linda Reynolds reportedly described her staffer Brittany Higgins who alleged she was raped by a colleague as a “lying cow”.

I was rather shocked to read that. That’s incredibly disappointing and inappropriate of Linda Reynolds and the minister should know better.

I think it makes her position all the more untenable. I think there’s serious questions around her handling of the situation for Brittany Higgins, what happened in 2019.