Investigative journalist Nicky Hager has told a jury hearing a defamation case he would not have approved a book, at the centre of the case, for publication due to insufficient evidence.
London-based former diplomat and civil servant Lindsay Smallbone is suing author and investigate editor Ian Wishart over the book in a civil case in the High Court at Wellington.
Mr Smallbone alleges he was defamed in a 2011 book, The Hunt, which was co-authored by Mr Wishart and George London, the husband of Mr Smallbone's ex-wife Paulette London.
The book tells the tale of a child abduction case involving two of Mrs London's children from another marriage, who were taken from her more than 30 years ago before being reunited recently as adults.
Mr Smallbone alleges he was defamed by the book, in which Mrs London said he was addicted to pornography and strip clubs, fantasised about sex with men at his church and forced her into sex shows while travelling overseas. The pair's marriage ended about 40 years ago.