War hero Ben Roberts-Smith's high-profile defamation trial has been suspended because of Sydney's COVID-19 lockdown. Mr Roberts-Smith, 42, is suing three newspapers at the Federal Court trial in Sydney over media reports alleging he was involved in war crimes, murders and bullying in Afghanistan. He is also suing the outlets over a claim he assaulted a woman in a Canberra hotel. The landmark trial, now in its fourth week, was due to this week hear the media outlets' defence case after Mr Roberts-Smith's legal team wrapped up its case on Monday afternoon. However barrister Nicholas Owens SC flagged on Monday that SAS witnesses - crucial to the respondents' case - were unavailable due to border rules in Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria.