‘We're a bit stuffed': Leaked audio of Spotlight EP Mark Llewellyn

Spotlight executive producer Mark Llewellyn has been recorded in an internal staff meeting complaining that the program is “a bit stuffed”.

Spotlight executive producer Mark Llewellyn has been recorded in an internal staff meeting complaining that despite the pressures to “do whatever it takes to get the story”, the program is “a bit stuffed” because it is starved of cash by Channel 7’s management.

News.com.au has obtained an audio recording of a staff meeting where he warns staff about the prospect of budget cuts.

Mr Llewellyn is the veteran TV boss at the centre of the media storm following the emergence of ex-producer Taylor Auerbach’s claims that he partied with Bruce Lehrmann, buying drugs and prostitutes, while chasing an exclusive interview.

But in the tape, recorded in July, 2023, the veteran TV producer is crying poor, and he suggests that the Kerry Stokes-owned broadcaster needs to devote more money to the current affairs program.

“We are like the guy in the train station with the Big Issue, OK? Not everyone is giving us money,’’ Mr Llewellyn says.

However, he also says from “Kerry Stokes down” it’s been a “big year” after the Bruce Lehrmann specials, with the show boasting a lot of supporters.

“Our problem is that we always have two contrary things happening. There’s a demand for ratings and people say, ‘Go and do whatever it takes to get the story.’ Bang, you go and do that and there’s a sort of budgetary pressure.”

In response to the leaked audio, Mr Llewellyn has spoken out for the first time on the allegations engulfing his program.

“People who know me and people who work with me know that I have always insisted and always say that we must fight hard but we must never lie or deceive,” he told news.com.au.

“We have to fight harder than other shows because we don’t have their big, bloated budgets.

“Ratings are obviously important in a commercial world but not at the expense of getting (and telling) stories honestly and treating the people we interview the same way. And my team knows my firm views.”

Spotlight executive producer Mark Llewellyn.

Spotlight executive producer Mark Llewellyn.

In another segment of the internal staff meeting, producer Steve Jackson explains to staff about the need for “enforced shutdowns”, and says he wants to be up-front and honest.

The EP also tells staff the program is “quite happy to step up to the plate and do a Coronation special to be part of the team” and show the network they are not “up themselves”.

But he complains that, when budget time came around, the show didn’t get enough money to do things like that.

“So we can’t afford, literally can’t afford to do that,’’ he says.

Jackson also reveals that News and Current Affairs boss Craig McPherson is a “big supporter” of the show.

The revelations of the extraordinary expenditure enraged staff at the broadcaster, who complained they were struggling to get bosses to pay for an Uber.

Steve Jackson and former colleague Taylor Auerbach.

Taylor Auerbach pictured with his lawyer Rebekah Giles. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Auerbach’s claims are set out in four affidavits filed in the Federal Court that include receipts for a $504 meal at the Chophouse restaurant in Sydney in January, 2023, including a $361 Tomahawk steak weighing 1.9kg.

Other expenses include Sensai Thai Massage, estimated in Auerbach’s affidavit at “approximately $10,315”.

On the night Mr Auerbach alleges he took drugs and partied with prostitutes, there is also a meal at Franca restaurant in Potts Point with Mr Lehrmann, costing $517.97.

And there is a bill for $8115.80 for accommodation for Mr Lehrmann, and another for $3622.50.

Auerbach alleges in one of his affidavits that Seven paid for a taxi for Mr Lehrmann from Franca restaurant in Potts Point to Meriton Sydney on January 5 last year, and Mr Lehrmann paid “for illicit drugs and prostitutes that evening at the Meriton and the following evening at a brothel in Surry Hills”.

Seven has contested the claims.

Auerbach’s alleged use of illicit drugs and partying with sex workers was without Mr Llewellyn’s consent.

Bruce Lehrmann. Picture: KHAPGG/news.com.au

Mr Llewellyn is picured with three steaks. Picture: Instagram

In the leaked audio, the Spotlight EP complains “we just don’t have the resources”.

“That’s why we’ve been chasing so hard to get the big stories,’’ Mr Llewellyn says.

“Revenue is down. They’re going to slash costs at Seven and we’re over budget partly because we’ve been told to go out and employ people and get stories and so on.”

At another point, he says “it’s still pretty desperate” and complains that they are “running out of product”.

“We just don’t have a f***ing safety net,’’ he says.

“We have Craig (McPherson) still very much onside.”

During the recording, Jackson can be heard praising the team for beating rivals at Nine’s 60 Minutes on some Sunday nights.

Seven fights back

Seven chief executive James Warburton sent out a note to staff on Thursday night saying the claims that have emerged are not part of the broadcaster’s culture.

“Seven is appalled by the allegations made in court in recent days. We do not condone the behaviours described in these allegations. They do not reflect the culture of Seven,’’ he said.

“For the record, Seven did not offer a promotion or pay rise to Taylor Auerbach in November 2022, nor did it do so at any time after that.

“Seven did not reimburse Bruce Lehrmann for expenditure that has allegedly been used to pay for illegal drugs or prostitutes, and has never done so.

“We also take issue with the allegations recently made about our conduct.

“Contrary to the claims reported in the media, Seven complied with all of its obligations in relation to producing documents in response to subpoenas issued to it.”

Mr Warburton said Seven had at no point asked anyone to delete or destroy any evidence.

“As we said earlier this week, Seven did not condone or authorise the alleged payments to Mr Lehrmann referred to in the affidavits recently made public. The person involved admitted to the misuse of a Seven corporate card and all unauthorised expenses were immediately reimbursed,’’ he said.

“Seven has acted appropriately at all times.”