Decorated soldier Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith has denied allegations of bullying and domestic violence

ONE of Australia’s most decorated soldiers has denied allegations of bullying, intimidation and domestic violence.

AUSTRALIA’S most decorated Afghanistan veteran Ben Roberts-Smith has denied serious allegations of bullying, intimidation and domestic violence published in a media article today.

Corporal Roberts-Smith was thrust into the national spotlight in 2011 when he was awarded the Victoria Cross — Australia’s highest military honour — for bravery under fire in Afghanistan.

But today he was forced to defend his service record after claims put forward in a Fairfax article.

“The article contains a catalogue of lies, fabrications and misrepresentations. It is the culmination of many months of malicious and highly damaging allegations, all of which will be vigorously defended,” Corporal Roberts-Smith said in a statement released via Seven West.

“I do want to say today that I unequivocally deny any physical abuse of any woman at any time ever, and that I have not at any stage been interviewed by police about any purported complaint by any woman.”

Corporal Roberts-Smith said he was deeply troubled that alleged evidence given to the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force inquiry into the country’s special forces, appears to have been accessed.

“Not only is it illegal, it is unfair to people who haven’t given evidence and it has the potential to undermine the fairness of the inquiry,” the statement said.

“If and when I am given the opportunity to defend each specific allegation, I am very confident that direct witnesses will categorically demonstrate the falsity of them all.”

Corporal Roberts-Smith is the general manager of Seven’s Queensland operations, a role he was appointed to by Kerry Stokes after he quit the armed services and did a masters of business administration in 2016.

Since leaving Australia’s Special Air Service Regiment, a special forces unit of the Army, Corporal Roberts-Smith has become a celebrated figure who was named Australian Father of the Year in 2013, chairman of the Australia Day Council in 2015 as well as deputy chairman of the Prime Minister’s defence mental health committee and veteran’s employment committee.

Ben Roberts-Smith (right) with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the 2016 Australian of the Year awards ceremony. Picture: Gary Ramage

He has campaigned against “one punch” violence and is the public face of the Stay Kind campaign for Australians to look after vulnerable mates.

In one particularly powerful image, Corporal Roberts-Smith comforted domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty when she received her Australian of the Year award in 2015, an award that he helped select her for.

On the field he has received Medal for Gallantry and a Commendation for Distinguished Service, in addition to the VC.

But his distinguished service is now at risk of being tarnished after serious allegations against his conduct have emerged.

Among the allegations are that the small SAS team Corporal Roberts-Smith helped lead mistreated unarmed Afghans, that he allegedly bashed an unarmed Afghan and that he bullied two junior soldiers in his patrol.

The allegations have reportedly come from those within the SAS and among those who had served with Corporal Roberts-Smith in patrols in Afghanistan.

Bullying claims include that Corporal Roberts-Smith allegedly punched one soldier \in the head after he made a mistake on the battlefield, according to witnesses.

Internal complaints were reportedly made against him by at least one soldier, reportedly over “years of bullying” that impacted his mental health. The claim was eventually resolved by mediation.

Since leaving military life he has been working at Seven. Picture: Tara Croser.

Several experienced patrol commanders were reportedly concerned about the treatment of the soldier as well as other aspects of Corporal Roberts-Smith’s mentoring and leadership in 2012.

Other disturbing allegations have also emerged about Corporal Roberts-Smith’s personal life, including that he committed an alleged act of domestic violence and intimidation against a woman he was having an affair with, leading to a complaint to police in Canberra earlier this year.

Fairfax Media suggests it has spent almost a year interviewing dozens of veterans, officials and others ahead of publishing the story.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said allegations would be dealt with appropriately.

“I am aware of the allegations, complaints have been made to police and they will be dealt with appropriately,” the Prime Minister told reporters in Perth on Friday.

“I can’t make any comment on the specific matters because they are being dealt with by the police.”

Mr Turnbull said the defence minister was updating him on the investigation into alleged misconduct in the special forces.

Ben Roberts-Smith is a decorated soldier. Picture: Aaron Francis/The Australian