Australian Federal Police (AFP) have confirmed during a Senate inquiry that a new investigation has been launched into allegations linked to Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith.
Key points:
- The AFP says it is looking into “aspects” of the media reports
- It says the material was passed on by the journalist who produced the story
- Mr Roberts-Smith denies that he engaged in any unlawful conduct
AFP Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney was asked a series of questions when he appeared before a parliamentary hearing about a Nine Network report that claimed the SAS veteran buried USB drives in his backyard.
The Channel Nine report alleged they contained compromising material relating to his time in Afghanistan and he was hiding them from police and military investigators.
Earlier this week, Mr Roberts-Smith denied that he engaged in any unlawful conduct and said the allegations were not supported by evidence.
“These allegations were not put to Mr Roberts-Smith prior to being broadcast on 60 Minutes and published in the Nine newspapers,” a representative for him said on Monday.
Labor Senator Kristina Keneally today asked the AFP during today’s hearing if a fresh investigation had been launched by detectives as a result of the allegations aired.
“It was reported that USB sticks with classified information as well as photos were buried in a person’s backyard and the 60 Minutes report also ended with the statement that the AFP have opened fresh investigations into this matter,” she said.
“Has the AFP opened a fresh investigation into any of the matters that were reported on 60 Minutes?” she asked.
“The AFP has opened an investigation into aspects of that media reporting,” Deputy Commissioner McCartney replied.
He would not say if the AFP was now in possession of the USBs but confirmed that detectives have received some data.
“AFP does have access to have some of the material,” he said.
“Some of that material was actually, as acknowledged in the media article today, was referred to the AFP by the journalist in question and also by his newspaper.”
More to come.