Loading The soldiers also said Mr Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated soldier, was present when the decision was made for another soldier to shoot the detainee in the head. Mr Roberts-Smith has "categorically" denied the claim he kicked a handcuffed Afghan farmer named Ali Jan off a cliff, saying in a statement on Monday he was concerned the story and the previous publications by The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald were "an attempt to improperly influence" the outcome of the inquiry. He said he had "never contravened any laws of war". "I have not been approached by the AFP in relation to any alleged inquiry by it."

James Chessell, executive editor of the Herald and The Age, said any suggestion the mastheads were trying to influence the outcome of the inquiry were baseless. Loading "Australian media outlets have - and should - report on important public interest issues that are before commissions and inquiries," he said. "To suggest that such reporting influences the judges and officials that run them lacks any substance." Mr Roberts-Smith claimed in his statement that none of the witnesses had provided any direct evidence of any sort to support their allegations while another two unidentified "purported serving SASR soldiers" made assertions that suggested "neither man was actually a direct witness to any of the alleged incidents". He said there had been "malicious" leaking against him from within the ADF and he looked foward to defending his reputation in defamation proceedings against Nine, publisher of this article.

Mr Chester said he would not speculate on the media reports because the inquiry was ongoing but stressed the ADF had initiated the inquiry itself. "It's in everyone's interest for the IGADF inquiry to be completed as soon as possible, rather than have speculation about what evidence may, or may not have been given," Mr Chester said. "I've asked my department to ensure mental health support, if required, is provided to any veterans who may be involved in the inquiry." Darren Chester says "it's in everyone's interest for the IGADF inquiry to be completed as soon as possible". Credit:Elesa Kurtz Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said the inquiry was "at arm's length from the chain of command and the government" to ensure the full integrity of the process.

"It is important that the process is allowed to be conducted in full," Senator Reynolds said. "I want to emphasise that the inquiry is dealing with serious issues which are being dealt with according to well-established processes." Prominent MP Andrew Hastie, a former SAS Captain and Afghan veteran, previously called on the Australian public to back the work of the defence force Inspector-General. Mr Hastie also backed the defence force chief Angus Campbell for calling the inquiry and the SAS witnesses who had given evidence. "This has been driven from the ground up," he said. "This isn't some witch hunt from above. It's operators with moral courage who've spoken up." Australian War Memorial chief Brendan Nelson - who has previously hit out at reports in The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald as an attempt to "tear down our heroes" - would not comment on Monday.