Seven paying Bruce Lehrmann’s rent exposes the ethical slippery slope of Chequebook Land

Defamation plaintiff Bruce Lehrmann has his rent paid by Kerry Stokes’ Seven Network in return for interviews. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP

Kerry Stokes has his chequebook open, again. This time the beneficiary of his largess is defamation damages aspirant Bruce Lehrmann.

It came to light in evidence last week that Stokes’ Seven Network has been paying Lehrmann’s rent into next year.