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In December Stokes opted to pay the legal fees of Nine, owner of this masthead, in the Roberts-Smith defamation case after a judge ordered the release of 8600 emails between Stokes, McWilliam and the former soldier’s legal team, some of which were described as “personally embarrassing” by Federal Court judge Nye Perram.

In covering both sides’ legal costs, which were estimated at $30 million, Seven managed to stop the release of the communications.

A veteran of Australian media across six decades, McWilliam worked closely with some of the country’s most powerful proprietors, including Rupert Murdoch and the late Kerry Packer.

“Working with Kerry Stokes and James Warburton in his two iterations at Seven has never been dull,” he said in the statement announcing his departure. “I’m very proud of my association with Seven and the Seven team, and I wish them every success in the years ahead. Moving forward, I’ll be focused on my corporate and media advisory and property interests.”

Departing CEO James Warburton called McWilliam a doyen of the industry and fundamental to the company across two decades.

“Working with Bruce has always been very rewarding and entertaining, and he is always extremely generous with his time and advice,” he said.

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