Lawyers for three witnesses testifying on behalf of Ben Roberts-Smith in his defamation case sent invoices to Seven West Media, but chairman Kerry Stokes says he later paid the bills through a private company.
subpoenaed Seven Network Operations, Stokes and commercial director Bruce McWilliam late on Thursday, personally requiring them to produce any relevant documents to the court.
The commander, known as Person 5, told the Federal Court on Thursday he had discovered for the first time this week – almost two years after engaging his legal team – that their invoices had been sent to Seven, which has employed Roberts-Smith as an executive since 2012. Person 5 also said he had never spoken to Stokes or anyone else employed by Seven other than Roberts-Smith.
The newspapers allege that Roberts-Smith directed a rookie soldier to kill an unarmed Afghan prisoner in 2009, and that Person 5, who cannot be named for national security reasons, ordered the killing. Person 5 said he never killed a prisoner, and never ordered a subordinate to do so.On Thursday, Person 5 told the court he had asked Roberts-Smith in May 2020 to put him in touch with a lawyer, but said there was no discussion about who would pay the fees.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Seven Network paying legal costs for key witness in Ben Roberts-Smith defamation defence, court hearsThe network, owned by billionaire Kerry Stokes, has clarified the fees are being reimbursed by another arm of the media mogul’s empire
Read more »
Channel Seven billed $170,000 for legal costs of Ben Roberts-Smith’s witnessesLawyers for three witnesses testifying on behalf of Ben Roberts-Smith in his defamation case sent invoices to Seven West Media, but chairman Kerry Stokes says he later paid the bills through a private company.
Read more »
Ben Roberts-Smith and his friend face three more murder allegations, court hearsA friend and former comrade of war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith has admitted the pair face a total of five murder allegations, including three aired for the first time on Thursday.
Read more »
Ben Roberts-Smith: Soldier's friend denies war crimesBombshell new war crime allegations against Ben Roberts-Smith have come to light as one of the decorated soldier's close friends gave evidence in the defamation battle with Nine Newspapers. 9News
Read more »
Former SAS soldier warned Ben Roberts-Smith inquiry into alleged war crimes would be a ‘witch-hunt’, court hearsPerson Five told the court he sent Victoria Cross recipient a confidential document about evidence he gave to the Australian Defence Force
Read more »
Close contacts of COVID-19 cases in NSW no longer required to isolate at home for seven daysThe NSW government scraps the requirement for close contacts of COVID-19 cases to isolate at home for seven days.
Read more »