Mark Llewellyn: Spotlight boss exits Channel Seven after Bruce Lehrmann scandal

The head of Channel Seven's flagship Spotlight program has exited the network after explosive allegations were levelled by a whistleblower.

Mark Llewellyn, who has been the executive producer of Spotlight since 2020, handed in his security pass in on Wednesday night.

His ousting comes following the ugly fallout from Bruce Lehrmann's ongoing defamation battle against Lisa Wilkinson and Network 10.

During the trial, aother ex-spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach gave evidence that Seven picked up the bill for Mr Lehrmann's 'cocaine and prostitutes' when they secured an exclusive 2023 interview with the man accused of raping Brittany Higgins.

Mr Llewellyn will not be returning to his position and has hired lawyer John Laxon to negotiate his termination package, The Australian reported.

The bitter feud between Mr Auerbach and Channel Seven higher-ups was highlighted when a bizarre video emerged of Mr Auerbach a set of golf clubs worth $2000.

Mr Auerbach filmed himself late last year smiling while destroying a set of golf clubs belonging to his former colleague, Steve Jackson.

He uploaded the video on Instagram with the caption, 'Merry Christmas. Sue me', after the pair had a bitter fallout. 

He was under cross-examination by Mr Lehrmann's barrister Matthew Richardson SC, who suggested the video was a display of 'hatred' towards Mr Jackson.

Mr Auerbach disagreed and said it was actually a parody of a video uploaded to social media by Spotlight's executive producer Mark Llewellyn, telling the court: 'It's important to watch them side-by-side.'

The court did not play the clips in tandem. However, Daily Mail Australia exclusively obtained a copy of Mr Llewellyn's original video.

The 18-second clip was overlayed with Boney M's 1978 hit Rivers of Babylon, and showed Mr Llewellyn standing under an outdoor awning while wringing a wet cloth.

Mr Llewellyn appeared sweaty and exhausted as he grimaced and strained while twisting the rag.

Once finished, he panted and gave a thumbs-up.

A man in the background appeared to pay no attention to the strange scene.

Daily Mail Australia understands Mr Llewellyn filmed the video after a tennis match to show how sweaty and exhausted he was, compared with his opponent.

In court on Thursday, Mr Auerbach was asked whether he 'particularly hated' Mr Jackson.

'Yes,' Mr Auerbach admitted.

The video of Mr Auerbach destroying Mr Jackson's golf clubs was played in court. 

Mr Richardson said: 'You make those expressions and you tell the court that you aren't displaying hatred for Mr Jackson.'

Mr Auerbach replied: 'That is my evidence.'

Mr Richardson said his evidence was 'ridiculous'.

During the hearing on Thursday, it became clear that part of the reason Mr Auerbach resented Mr Jackson was because he was promoted.

He also 'partly' blamed Mr Jackson when Channel Seven didn't renew his contract.

Justice Michael Lee reopened the defamation case on Tuesday after Network Ten successfully argued there was new evidence from Mr Auerbach that was not available during the trial in December.

Mr Auerbach was on the team at Spotlight when it secured exclusive interviews with Mr Lehrmann, which aired in June and August last year.

It was during those two interviews that classified information from Mr Lehrmann's failed criminal trial in 2022 was broadcast on national television.

The confidential material included Ms Higgins' private texts and CCTV of her and Mr Lehrmann entering Parliament House before she was allegedly raped in March 2019.

Mr Lehrmann has denied leaking the material.

The hearing will continue on Friday.