Defence Minister Linda Reynolds admitted to hospital amid Brittany Higgins rape allegation scandal

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has taken medical leave and been admitted to hospital as a “precautionary measure”.

Senator Reynolds was due to address the National Press Club today, where she was expected to face questions about her handling of sexual allegations made by her former staffer, Brittany Higgins.

In a statement, Senator Reynolds said she was taking medical leave on the advice of her cardiologist, and that it related to a pre-existing medical condition.

The statement said Prime Minister Scott Morrison has phoned Ms Reynolds to “express his concern and sympathy”.

It comes ahead of former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins’s plans to make a formal complaint to police today, alleging a male colleague raped her inside Senator…