Ben Roberts-Smith ‘takes leave’ from Seven ahead of defamation case

Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith’s extended leave from Channel 7 had long been planned to allow him to focus and prepare for his upcoming defamation trial against Nine Network.

Australia’s most decorated soldier Ben Roberts-Smith had always been planning to go on leave from his Seven Network role after Anzac Day to allow him to focus on his upcoming personal defamation case against Nine Entertainment.

Mr Roberts-Smith is suing Nine over a series of stories he claimed portrayed him as a war criminal.

The Victoria Cross recipient had been working as the general manager of 7Queensland but will be away from the role until at least September, Seven Network CEO James Warburton announced in an all-staff memo on Monday morning.

Ben Roberts-Smith in Brisbane. Picture: Tertius Pickard

A spokesperson for Mr Roberts-Smith said plans for him to take time away from his job from April 26 had long been in place and the decision was in no way related to Monday’s front page interview with The Daily Telegraph in which he criticised the Australian Defence Force’s top brass over its handling of the Afghanistan campaign.

“The decision was planned for some time and it was always intended to take place post-Anzac Day,” the spokersperson said.

“He wasn’t stood down but is taking pre-arranged leave.

“It had nothing to do with his interview today in support of veterans suicide prevention and a royal commission.”

In his email announcement about Mr Roberts-Smith’s extended leave, Mr Warburton told staff he believed the move was in the best interests of both the retired soldier and the media company.

“I wanted to let you know that Ben Roberts-Smith will take leave from his role as General Manager, Seven Brisbane and 7Queensland, to focus on his upcoming legal matters,” Mr Warburton wrote.

“Ben’s leave will start today. Ben and I believe the mutual decision is best for both him and our company.

“We expect Ben to return to his role upon completion of his defamation proceedings. As the trial is currently set down for eight weeks, it’s likely this won’t be until after August.”

Seven West Media Managing Director and CEO James Warburton.

Roberts-Smith with Seven Chairman and owner Kerry Stokes and Ryan Stokes. Picture: Luke Marsden.

Mr Roberts-Smith has become embroiled in a series of shocking allegations aired in the media – which he strongly denies.

He is suing Nine Newspapers – the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age – for defamation over articles that said the AFP was investigating allegations he was involved in killing six Afghans outside of combat while deployed in the Middle East.

The allegations include that he pushed a handcuffed farmer off a cliff.

The newspapers also alleged he was being investigated for punching a woman in the face in Australia in 2018.

The former soldier delivered a scathing attack on the Australian Defence Force’s top brass for their “disgusting” treatment of veterans and “staggering” lack of direction.

He said military commanders had run Australia’s longest-ever conflict in Afghanistan from the safety and comfort of Dubai without ever having a campaign strategy.