Ben Roberts-Smith resigns from Seven after landmark defamation ruling

Posted by
Check your BMI

Ben Roberts-Smith has resigned from his role at Channel Seven, the day after his defamation case was thrown out of court in a landmark ruling.

The company's managing director and chief executive officer James Warburton made the announcement in an email to staff on Friday.

"As you're all aware, the judgement in the defamation case was handed down yesterday," it said.

Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith outside the Federal Court in Sydney in 2022.

toonsbymoonlight

"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 commitment to Seven and wish him all 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 "substantially 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 "disappointed" with the outcome.

Ben Roberts-Smith during the ANZAC Day parade at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne in 2017.

"The judgement does not accord with the man I know. I know this will be particularly hard for Ben, who has always maintained his innocence. 

"That his fellow soldiers have disagreed with each other, this outcome will be the source of additional grief.

"I haven't had a chance to have a discussion with Ben as yet but I will when he has had a chance to fully absorb 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 are a current or former ADF member, or a relative, and need counselling or support, you can contact the Defence All-Hours Support Line on 1800 628 036 or Open Arms on 1800 011 046.