Ben Roberts-Smith’s relationship with female solicitor questioned
The relationship between Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith and one of his female solicitors has been questioned in the Federal Court.
The issue was raised by a judge hearing a separate case against the former special forces soldier’s ex-wife, Emma Roberts.
Justice Robert Bromwich referred to an affidavit filed by Mr Roberts-Smith’s team which was sworn by a solicitor referred to in media reports.
Although she wasn’t named in court today, Mr Roberts-Smith was pictured holding hands with Monica Allen while out together last August.
“It’s potentially a personally delicate thing but if the relationship between the deponent of the affidavit and the applicant is anything other than a purely professional relationship, I want to know,” Justice Bromwich said today.
He said the reports may be false but “if it is correct, it raises a question of upmost good faith”.
Mr Roberts-Smith’s barrister Arthur Moses, SC, criticised the media reporting.
“Female lawyers have enough to deal with in this profession let alone having those kind of aspersions being put against them,” he said.
In a later hearing he lashed out at another “gossip” column which said Roberts-Smith was seen jogging to Ms Allen’s apartment.
“There is no relationship, full stop.”
Seven West Media commercial director Bruce McWilliam described the relationship accusation as “a deplorable slur” and “extremely unfair” as he left court today.
“There’s no truth attached to any of it and it’s a very bad way to treat a very talented solicitor who’s very good at what she does,” he said.
“It’s going to be confirmed in court that there was no relationship.
Nine released a statement.
“Nine denies that any articles published by us could have intimated or threatened lawyers in the proceedings or could have constituted contempt of court.”
Mr Roberts-Smith’s defamation case against Nine newspapers The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age will continue tomorrow morning.
He has denied allegations he murdered six people in Afghanistan, bullied SAS colleagues and punched his mistress in the face while the newspapers are using the truth defence.
