One of the country’s most high-profile and high-stakes defamation hearings has heard damaging allegations about former SAS soldier Ben Roberts-Smith, whose estranged wife accused him of pressuring her to lie about his affair with another woman.

Emma Roberts resumed her evidence on Tuesday in defamation proceedings launched by Mr Roberts-Smith against The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times, denying she was seeking to “dump on” him by giving evidence against him in court.

The ongoing case pits the media organisations against the highly decorated former soldier, who was awarded a Victoria Cross in 2011.

A series of articles published in 2018 alleged Mr Roberts-Smith committed or was involved in six murders of Afghans under the control of Australian troops, when they cannot be killed under the rules of engagement, and of punching his former girlfriend in the face.

Mr Roberts-Smith denies the allegations and maintains any killings in Afghanistan were carried out lawfully in the heat of battle. He further denies he ever struck his former girlfriend.

The media outlets are seeking to rely on a defence of truth.

Today on Please Explain, senior writer Deborah Snow joins Bianca Hall to talk about this extraordinary defamation action.

One of the country&rsquo;s most high-profile and high-stakes defamation hearings has heard damaging allegations about former SAS soldier Ben Roberts-Smith, whose estranged wife accused him of pressuring her to lie about his affair with another woman.
Emma Roberts resumed her evidence on Tuesday in defamation proceedings launched by Mr Roberts-Smith against The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times, denying she was seeking to &ldquo;dump on&rdquo; him by giving evidence against him in court.
The ongoing case pits the media organisations against the highly decorated former soldier, who was awarded a Victoria Cross in 2011.
A series of articles published in 2018 alleged Mr Roberts-Smith committed or was involved in six murders of Afghans under the control of Australian troops, when they cannot be killed under the rules of engagement, and of punching his former girlfriend in the face.
Mr Roberts-Smith denies the allegations and maintains any killings in Afghanistan were carried out lawfully in the heat of battle. He further denies he ever struck his former girlfriend.
The media outlets are seeking to rely on a defence of truth.
Today on Please Explain, senior writer Deborah Snow joins Bianca Hall to talk about this extraordinary defamation action.

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

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