Ex-Neighbours star Christie Whelan Browne releases statement as Craig McLachlan drops defamation case

 The actress broke her silence after he dropped a defamation suit against her.

Former Neighbours star Christie Whelan Browne has released a statement after Craig McLachlan, her former co-star in a theatre show, dropped a defamation lawsuit against her.

McLachlan has said that he chose to drop the proceedings due to the strain on his mental health and family life.

Whelan Browne has since released a statement saying that the lawsuit and having her name dragged through the mud has been a traumatising experience.

She said: "I have received multiple threats and constant abuse, and it continues to this day."

McLachlan decided to sue Whelan Browne for defamation following claims that he had indecently assaulted the actress during a production of the Rocky Horror Show four years earlier. McLachlan has strenuously denied the allegations.

In an opening statement on May 10, barrister Michael Hodge told the court that 11 women, including Whelan Browne, would give evidence about "incidents of sexual harassment, indecent exposure, indecent assault, assault and bullying ... experienced at the hands of Mr McLachlan". McLachlan has always denied any wrongdoing.

Whelan Browne opened up about how she felt she was "singled" out in the case and that she thought that this type of shaming against women was a "thing of the past".

The statement continued: "I was then singled out and sued for defamation. My name was dragged through the mud, and my character and own behaviour were exaggerated and called into question. I had thought this kind of shaming was a thing of the past, but I was wrong.

"The past four and a half years have significantly traumatised me and the other brave women who spoke up at the time and afterwards."

She added: "I hope that this is a reminder that women will stand up for themselves and each other, even when threatened by those more powerful."