EMBATTLED ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold has again extended his leave until late August.

In a statement by Shane Rattenbury on Wednesday morning, the Attorney-General said that yesterday Mr Drumgold requested an extension of his leave from July 5 to August 30. He first went on leave in mid-May.

Mr Drumgold, who was the first witness at the Sofronoff Inquiry, is not scheduled to return to his desk until after Commissioner Walter Sofronoff delivers his findings to Chief Minister Andrew Barr by the end of this month.

In May, the ACT’s top prosecutor faced a week-long grilling over his handling of rape allegations against former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann, who was accused of raping fellow Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins. Mr Lehrmann has always denied the allegations.

Anthony Williamson SC will continue to act in the role of DPP.

Failed leadership, that’s why Drumgold has to go