A Coalition statement,issued last week on behalf of leader Angus Taylor,defence shadow James Paterson,veterans’ affairs shadow Michael McCormack and defence industry shadow Phil Thompson,said the legal process must take its course.

Liberal Andrew Hastie,who served multiple tours of Afghanistan,said he might be called to testify against his former colleague. He also warned that political commentary must not be allowed to prejudice the upcoming proceedings.

“Ben Roberts-Smith is entitled to the presumption of innocence,” he said. “He’s entitled to a fair trial,and that’s why I’m very circumspect about making comment,because the last thing we want is for his trial to be prejudiced by political commentary.”

But others,such as One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott,have condemned the charges. Former prime minister John Howard last week said that “to some Australians,Roberts-Smith is the modern personification of the great Anzac tradition”.

Gosling,in his email,said the situation was complex and had divided former SAS soldiers while causing distress in the broader veteran community. “The point is that we need a fair trial to resolve matters for all who have been impacted and there is a long way to go,” he wrote.

“Everyone has the caucus lines but can I just discourage everyone from joining the public commentary about the accused in any way shape or form. It is not appropriate for MPs to comment on a serious criminal trial which will be before a jury.”

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