The Ben Roberts-Smith Defamation Trial Gets Even More Complicated

The Ben Roberts-Smith Defamation Trial Gets Even More Complicated

The high-profile defamation trial continues to provide twist and turns, as Roberts-Smith corrects evidence he has already given, and politician Andrew Hastie is expected to give his own.

Roberts-Smith corrected evidence he previously gave in court on Friday, managing to make the defamation case against Nine even more complicated.

According to ABC News, the former SAS soldier explained that the evidence he gave the day before the court was incorrect.

The 42-year-old admitted that he had made a mistake when he said that the body of a suspected insurgent was moved behind cover. Instead, the former soldier admitted that the body was left to lay where it fell.

Roberts-Smith explained he recalled the information incorrectly because he had been on over 300 missions and somethings things “blended” he told the court.

According to ABC News, the former SAS soldier rebuked claims by the defence that he lied and instead claimed he had made a mistake.

On Friday, the 42-year-old also told the court that politician Andrew Hastie was present on the mission where allegations have been made by Person 66.

According to The Guardian, Person 66 alleges that Roberts-Smith forced him to murder an unarmed man.

Allegedly after the incident, Robert-Smith said he had “blooded” the inexperienced soldier – a term Roberts-Smith has denied even hearing during his time as a SAS soldier.

The Guardian has reported that Hastie, who is the Assistant Minister for Defence, is now expected to give evidence.

Hastie is a former SAS soldier who has campaigned against gay marriage and opposed the Paris Agreement in his political career.

Roberts-Smith is still denying all allegations made by the three newspaper he is suing for defamation, while Nine is opting for the truth defence.

Roberts-Smith is expected to be cross-examined until 23 June.




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