Ben Roberts-Smith has resigned from his function at Channel Seven, the day after his defamation case was thrown out of court docket in a landmark ruling.
The firm’s managing director and chief government officer James Warburton made the announcement in an e mail to employees on Friday.
“As you’re all aware, the judgement in the defamation case was handed down yesterday,” it mentioned.
“Ben has been on leave whilst the case was running, and today has offered his resignation, which we have accepted.
“We thank Ben for his dedication to Seven and need him all one of the best.”
Roberts-Smith was the general manager of Seven Queensland since 2015.
Yesterday, Federal Court judge Justice Anthony Besanko found allegations Roberts-Smith murdered or was complicit in the killing of four unarmed Afghans while deployed overseas were “considerably true” in a landmark defamation ruling.
Roberts-Smith had sued the newspapers around allegations of five unlawful killings of Afghans the newspapers claim he either committed or was complicit in.
Kerry Stokes – Roberts-Smith’s former boss, financial backer, and the chairperson of Seven West Media – released a statement following the ruling yesterday saying he was “upset” with the outcome.
“The judgement doesn’t accord with the person I do know. I do know this will likely be significantly laborious for Ben, who has at all times maintained his innocence.
“That his fellow soldiers have disagreed with each other, this outcome will be the source of additional grief.
“I have not had an opportunity to have a dialogue with Ben as but however I’ll when he has had an opportunity to totally soak up the judgement.”
The marathon defamation trial was described as a proxy-war crime trial. It raised uncomfortable questions about the Australian defence force, and tested the limits of press freedom.
It began in June 2021 and sat for 110 days over 13 months, and heard from 41 witnesses including three who gave evidence from Afghanistan.
If you’re a present or former ADF member, or a relative, and wish counselling or assist, you possibly can contact the Defence All-Hours Support Line on 1800 628 036 or Open Arms on 1800 011 046.
Source: www.9news.com.au
