‘A stunning development’: Kate McClymont on Alan Jones’ arrest, and what’s next

Kate McClymont on the arrest of Alan Jones.Credit: Artwork — Marija Ercegovac/Tom McKendrick

On the same radio station that Alan Jones wielded his extraordinary power, his arrest played out live on air.

Just after 8am Monday, during the middle of his old radio spot, investigative journalist Kate McClymont broke the news that the former broadcaster was in the custody of police.

McClymont, whose work sparked the police investigation, revealed in our mastheads last year that the controversial broadcaster allegedly indecently assaulted, groped or inappropriately touched multiple young men.

McClymont joins The Morning Edition podcast with host Samantha Selinger-Morris to bring us the latest on this significant development and what happens next.

Samantha Selinger-Morris: It was your story in December last year that triggered this police investigation. Did you know this was coming, or was his arrest a total surprise?

Kate McClymont: I knew that there had been a strike force, and I knew that they were investigating, but the fact that this arrest has actually happened is still to me a stunning development. And I can’t emphasise ... what a turn of events this is for one of the most powerful people in Australian media.

Samantha Selinger-Morris: Can you tell us why it’s taken so long for these accusations to be exposed and for police to step in?

Kate McClymont: Rumours are one thing, but people were too afraid to take on Alan Jones. Once a couple of people came forward, and some people were happy to be publicly named, that gave confidence for other people to come forward. The police would have wanted to step so carefully in this investigation. They would have wanted to make sure that they had every lead chased down because they know that Alan Jones has the money and the resources to hire a formidable legal team.

Samantha Selinger-Morris: I sit right across you in the newsroom, so I’ve been privy to just how your phone is absolutely ringing off the hook. And this story does seem to have struck such a chord. Do you have any reflections on why people are so invested in this particular story?

Kate McClymont: It’s because it’s an incredibly prominent and powerful person who has dominated our media for so many years. To think that Alan Jones has actually been arrested is something that a lot of people will struggle to get their heads around. And I know people have said “oh, come on, we’ve all known about this for years”, but rumours and allegations are one thing; for the police to have actually got to the point where he has been arrested and charged just puts it into a whole new ball game.

You can listen to the episode in full in the player above.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service (1800RESPECT) on 1800 737 7328.