Ben Roberts-Smith Federal Court

2022 - 4 - 5

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Image courtesy of "SBS"

Witness in Ben Roberts-Smith trial laments 'weak leadership' in SAS (SBS)

Ben Roberts-Smith and his patrol members were let down by weak leadership in the ranks of the special forces, the Federal Court has been told.

That soldier - Person 10 - told the court last week that Mr Roberts-Smith ordered him to "shoot" and he eventually went "bang bang". A former elite soldier has told a court that weak leadership within Australia's special forces let down Ben Roberts-Smith and his patrol members after accusations of war crimes surfaced. A former elite soldier has told a court that weak leadership within Australia's special forces let down Ben Roberts-Smith and his patrol members after accusations of war crimes surfaced.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Ben Roberts-Smith and patrol let down by 'weak leadership' in SAS ... (The Guardian)

Witness in defamation case brought by Roberts-Smith tells court SAS command should have 'dealt with' war crimes allegations earlier.

Person 31 said he did not see or hear the mock execution. “It’s just a ludicrous scenario. It’s just a stupid thing for someone to have said.” Person 10 said Roberts-Smith gave him an order. The newspapers are pleading a defence of truth. But he said the alleged mock execution was “spoken of” within the regiment and that he was concerned enough by the allegation to raise it directly with Roberts-Smith.

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Image courtesy of "Crikey"

Witness laments 'weak leadership' in SAS (Crikey)

A former elite soldier says weak leadership within Australia's special forces let down Ben Roberts-Smith and his patrol members after accusations of war ...

Person 31 said he recalled Mr Roberts-Smith was notably angry during a meeting that followed the incident, and Person 10 was subsequently moved into his patrol in a “fragile state”. That soldier – Person 10 – told the court last week that Mr Roberts-Smith ordered him to “shoot” and he eventually went “bang bang”. And he felt Mr Roberts-Smith and his team were failed by the system and the lack of a prompt inquiry – not allowing the men to move on.

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