During the ongoing trial of veteran broadcaster Alan Jones, a former colleague has provided testimony regarding a promise of “loyalty” and a commitment to “refute any lies” from “lefties” amidst media reports concerning alleged misconduct by Mr. Jones. The former 2GB colleague is appearing in the NSW Local Court, where allegations of indecent assault against Mr. Jones are being heard. The charges stem from claims that Mr. Jones kissed and touched a younger male colleague on multiple occasions in 2008, both at their workplace and within the lift of his Circular Quay apartment.
Testimony and Allegations at the Trial
Further details presented in court suggest that the witness in question was present at a Christmas lunch in 2008. Other witnesses have stated that during this event, they observed Mr. Jones place his hand on the complainant’s lap under the table. It has also been alleged that Mr. Jones subsequently made a joke about the complainant “copping a feel.” Mr. Jones faces a charge of indecent assault concerning this specific incident at the lunch, one of 22 charges to which he has pleaded not guilty.
The witness, whose identity is being protected to safeguard the complainant, has been accused by the Crown prosecutor of providing testimony intended to “assist” Mr. Jones. This accusation arose after the witness initially denied any recollection of attending the Christmas lunch in question.
Cross-Examination and Text Message Evidence
Under rigorous cross-examination by the Crown, the witness was presented with text messages exchanged with Mr. Jones in 2023. These messages were sent after Sydney Morning Herald journalist Kate McClymont began investigating reports of a 2GB staff member allegedly touching another staff member. The witness acknowledged forwarding Ms. McClymont’s inquiry to Mr. Jones, accompanying it with the message, “if you need me to refute any lies I of course will.”
During this exchange, the court heard the witness referred to Ms. McClymont using derogatory terms, including “c***,” “low breed,” and “pure evil.” Mr. Jones’s reply in the text conversation was, “I am sick of all this. [Ray] Hadley inspired.”
The witness conceded that while his initial inclination was not to respond to Ms. McClymont’s inquiry, he later spoke with Mr. Jones. He recalled Mr. Jones expressing a desire for him to speak with the journalist and convey “the truth.” Crown prosecutor Georgina Wright SC suggested to the witness that his offensive messages about Ms. McClymont were an attempt to “ingratiate himself with the defendant.” The witness denied this, stating, “No, that’s how I felt about her.”
The Importance of Loyalty
Ms. Wright then questioned the witness about his perceived obligation to Mr. Jones, asking, “You regard loyalty to [Mr Jones] as the upmost importance to your relationship with him, don’t you?” The witness responded by stating that he considered loyalty to be a significant aspect of all his friendships.
Following the publication of Ms. McClymont’s initial story about Mr. Jones in 2023, the witness had texted Mr. Jones to assert that the allegations were being made by “sick people” and that “everyone who loves you is right behind you.” When pressed by the court to identify who he was referring to as “sick,” the witness clarified that he meant “the lefties that hate Mr Jones… there’s a string of them.”
Disputed Recollections and Defense Strategy
Despite repeated questioning about his observations at the staff lunch, the witness maintained a lack of memory regarding the event and denied ever witnessing Mr. Jones behave inappropriately towards any staff member. This contrasts with the testimony of another lunch guest, although a different witness, Jason Morrison, also stated he did not see the alleged assault. The witness further denied ever hearing any jokes about Mr. Jones showing romantic interest in a younger colleague or making a joke about the complainant “copping a feel.”
Ms. Wright challenged the witness’s account, suggesting, “I suggest you are sticking… to not recalling anything at all, to assist the defending in this trial, aren’t you?” She further questioned the genuineness of his lack of recollection, to which the witness replied, “It is genuine, it was 18 years ago.” The trial is scheduled to continue.
Related Developments in the Case
- The “complicated” relationship between former shock jocks has been a point of discussion during the trial.
- Messages revealed in court indicated Ray Hadley’s statements about Alan Jones, including sentiments like “I won’t rest until we bury him.”
- Mr. Hadley also testified, recounting how a complainant “broke down” while discussing allegations with him.
- Another former radio host has denied “tailoring” his evidence to favor Alan Jones.
