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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Business
Amanda Meade

Judge says ex-soldier Heston Russell defamation case becoming ‘a bit of a farce’ as ABC reinstates defence

Heston Russell
The ABC has reinstated its public interest defence to Heston Russell’s defamation suit after a judge said the former commando already knew the identity of the broadcaster’s source. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

The ABC has reversed a decision to drop its defence of a defamation suit brought by former commando Heston Russell, during a day of legal argument labelled “farcical” by a federal court judge.

The about-face comes two days after the ABC initially abandoned its public interest defence when ordered to reveal a confidential source.

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