Former federal Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has claimed in court that he fears the national corruption watchdog could launch a “Christmas raid” on his home, as he pursues the agency and the federal government over his legal costs.

Lehrmann launched Federal Court proceedings in September against the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Commonwealth, seeking a declaration by the court that he is eligible for federal funding for legal costs incurred in complying with two NACC investigations.

He also sought a declaration that the Commonwealth had “unreasonably delayed a grant of funding”.

During a preliminary hearing on Tuesday – conducted in Sydney with Lehrmann appearing via audiovisual link from a courtroom in Hobart – the court heard that the Commonwealth, via Special Minister

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