Mark Llewellyn fires back at ABC Four Corners over ‘anti-Semite’ claims

Mark Llewellyn has emphatically rejected claims made by his former friend Taylor Auerbach in a Four Corners program on alleged misconduct at the Seven Network.

Former Spotlight EP Mark Llewellyn and Taylor Auerbach. Picture: Instagram

Former Spotlight executive producer Mark Llewellyn has emphatically rejected claims of bullying and anti-Semitism made by former staffer and friend Taylor Auerbach in a Four Corners program on alleged misconduct at the Seven Network.

The ABC alleges in the program that Mr Llewellyn called Mr Auerbach, who is Jewish, “Ann Frankenstein” in anti-Semitic text messages and said “the character in a play we’ve written” wanted to bash his head in with a cricket bat.

The program says a series of messages repeatedly refers to violent acts, with the caveat that they are coming from “the character in a play we’re writing”.

“A narrative has been created that is simply untrue,” Mr Llewellyn said in a statement released to The Australian. “That narrative has now been accepted by many as fact.”

Mr Llewellyn said messages given to Four Corners had been selectively chosen and were part of a mutual joke Mr Auerbach had instigated. “I do not know if ABC is aware of this, but Taylor certainly is,” he said.

Spotlight EP Mark Llewellyn and Taylor Auerbach in happier days. Picture: Instagram

“We shared a similar and occasionally warped sense of humour while laughing at our many flaws and dealing with long hours and deadlines. But to suggest this was anything other than comic exaggeration is wrong.

“As anyone who has seen it knows, my Instagram site was a haven of silliness where the person I most regularly took the ‘mickey’ out of was me.”

In April, Justice Michael Lee reconvened Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation trial to hear an 11th-hour bid from Network 10 to reopen its case, based on an explosive affidavit from Mr Auerbach, who had been involved in procuring an exclusive interview with Mr Lehrmann for the Spotlight program.

Mr Auerbach alleged drugs and prostitutes had been used to entice Mr Lehrmann to do the interview, a claim Seven and Mr Llewellyn have categorically denied.

When Seven became aware Mr Auerbach had used a corporate credit card to pay for Thai “masseuses”, it ordered him to reverse the $10,000 payment, in keeping with its expenses policy.

Taylor Auerbach outside the Federal Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Mr Llewellyn left Seven in the wake of the allegations, as did news boss Craig McPherson.

“Taylor was given multiple opportunities, extensive support, and many second chances,” Mr Llewellyn said. “Which is why his conduct on the Lehrmann story – when he spent thousands of dollars on escorts on a work corporate card – left me deflated and sad beyond words.

“Despite vile public speculation, I did not know about this behaviour until after the event. and it was not condoned or encouraged by me. Nor was his alleged purchase of cocaine for himself and anyone associated with that story known, condoned or encouraged by me.

“To be clear, nor was the reference to ‘per diems’ code for cocaine and sex workers, or anything unlawful.

“For the record, it was not my decision to reject his resignation at the time. It was not my decision to keep him on.”

Mr Llewellyn drew attention to Justice Lee’s observation of Mr Auerbach: “One could rationally form the view that this is a man who desperately wanted to do as much damage to his former employer as he could conceivably do … don’t put him up as some noble, public-interested man coming along to get something off his chest … He’s a man who wanted to make a range of allegations against people under absolute privilege.”

In court, Mr Lehrmann’s counsel described as “bizarre” Mr Auerbach’s recent conduct, which had included leaking information against his former colleagues and calling a two-­minute press conference at which he refused to answer questions.

Earlier this year The Australian obtained an extraordinary video Mr Auerbach recorded of himself smashing golf clubs belonging to former colleague Steve Jackson.

Mr Llewellyn described Mr Auerbach as someone he had regarded as a close friend, “one I mentored and supported, including through his personal troubles”.

The suggestion that he was anti-Semitic was simply untrue, Mr Llewellyn said. “It is hurtful and defamatory. My history both publicly and privately is that I am avowedly and proudly pro-Jewish and pro-Israel, especially after the October 7 atrocities.

“To suggest that there even is an ounce of anti-Semitism in my body is abhorrent.”

Mr Llewellyn also rejected any suggestion he had bullied Mr Auerbach, and noted “these allegations of ‘bullying’ have emerged after Taylor was told his contract was not being renewed”.

“Taylor was a mate, which is why the sense of betrayal by someone I liked and cared deeply for will never leave me,” Mr Llewellyn said.