Channel Seven is going to lick its wounds after associate Ben Roberts-Smith sensationally lost his libel ‘trial of the century’.
Billionaire Kerry Stokes, executive chairman of Seven West Media, funded the former SAS trooper and Seven General Manager’s defamation case against Nine Newspapers accusing him of war crimes, to the tune of millions of dollars.
In an explosive verdict, Federal Court Judge Anthony Besanko on Thursday accepted that allegations in the press that Mr Roberts-Smith is a war criminal, murderer and bully were “substantially true”.
Mr Stokes said he was ‘disappointed’ with the ruling as it is ‘not in line with the man I know’.
“I know this will be extremely difficult for Ben, who has always maintained his innocence.
Billionaire Kerry Stokes (pictured), executive chairman of Seven West Media, funded Ben Roberts-Smith’s multimillion-dollar defamation case. He said he was ‘disappointed’ with the verdict because it ‘doesn’t match the man I know’
Mr Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated living soldier, was involved in the killing of unarmed prisoners while serving in Afghanistan’s elite Special Air Service, a judge has accepted today
“That his fellow soldiers disagree with each other, this outcome will be the source of additional grief.
“I haven’t had a chance to talk to Ben yet, but I will once he’s had a chance to fully absorb the judgement.”
Daily Mail Australia asked Seven if they regretted supporting Mr Roberts-Smith or if they would instead fund an appeal lodged by him, but the company declined to comment.
Seven Group Holdings, the parent company of Channel Seven, saw its share price fall nine cents in the wake of today’s damning findings, before recovering as markets closed.
The marathon trial, which lasted more than 110 days and cost an estimated $25 million, was found in favor of Nine Newspapers and has left Mr Roberts-Smith’s reputation and career in tatters.
It is unclear whether the recipient of the Victoria Cross will return to his former role as managing director of Seven in Queensland.
A spokesman for the company said: “Ben remains on leave and will discuss the ruling with us and make a decision about his future in the near future.”
Mr Roberts-Smith, 44, presented his Victoria Cross and other battlefield decorations, including his Medal of Valor, as security for his employer’s huge loan to fight his libel case.
Mr Stokes has said in the past that if he was unable to repay the line of credit, Mr Roberts-Smith would donate the medal group to the Australian War Memorial. Mr Stokes stepped down as chairman of the organization in 2022.
Mr Roberts-Smith met his current partner PR guru Sarah Matulin (pictured together) while they both worked at Seven in Queensland
It is unclear what will happen to the medals given today’s damning verdict, which could see Mr Roberts-Smith face criminal charges.
There are already calls for Australia’s most decorated living soldier to be stripped of his medals.
Mr Roberts-Smith was previously caught on tape saying he would be ‘f***ed’ without Mr Stokes’ financial backing.
“The bottom line is I’d be fucked without him,” he said in audio obtained with 60 minutes in 2021.
“I probably won’t leave the herd now. I think I owe Kerry a little now.’
Mr Robert-Smith left the Australian Army in 2013 and studied business administration at the University of Queensland.
A spokesman for Seven told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Ben remains on leave and will discuss the ruling with us and make a decision on his future in the near future. We will not be commenting further at this time’
“Ben will be an excellent leader. He is an excellent person. When it comes to leadership, he ticks all the right boxes,” Mooney said at the time of Roberts-Smith’s appointment to the position.
Two years later, he joined Seven Media as Deputy Managing Director of the Seven Queensland television network.
Seven West Media’s then-CEO Tim Worner praised Mr Roberts-Smith’s “leadership” following his hiring, while former executive Neil Mooney described the soldier as an “outstanding person.”
He was later promoted to general manager of the network and of Seven Brisbane station.