‘True gent’: Brett Lee reaches out to Alan Jones after assault claims

Australian Test cricket champion Brett Lee has reached out directly to Alan Jones, calling him a ‘true gentleman’ in the wake of indecent assault claims levelled against the veteran broadcaster.

Australian Test cricket champion Brett Lee has reached out directly to Alan Jones, calling him a ‘true gentleman’ in the wake of indecent assault claims levelled against the veteran broadcaster.

“What I can say is I’ve known Alan Jones for close to 30 years as my mentor, as someone I can … he’s been through the ups and downs of my professional career. A very close family friend,” Lee said.

“In those 30 years the unwavering support he’s given me, the way he’s so loyal, he’s just an absolute true gentleman, and that’s all I can say.

“He’s been fantastic to me. He’s helped so many people that not anyone even knows about.”

Billionaire James Packer also rallied to speak up for Jones after some of his other friends and supporters maintained a radio silence.

Mr Packer sent a brief statement after being contacted while overseas to comment on allegations of indecent assaults by his long-time friend.

Mr Packer said simply: “I have always found Alan Jones to have the highest integrity.”

Top lawyer Margaret Cunneen SC also came out in support of the embattled broadcaster after a day in court.

“I only know Alan as a generous and supportive friend, who never expects anything in return for his kindness,” she said.

Alan Jones with James Packer in 2013.

Top lawyer Margaret Cunneen SC has also came out in support of the embattled broadcaster.

RADIO SILENCE AS POWERFUL PALS STAY SILENT

For decades, broadcaster Alan Jones has stepped up to the microphone to fearlessly ­defend his friends under fire.

On Thursday, with Jones accused of serious indecent assaults on four young men, those powerful friends, including two former prime ministers, remained silent.

Jones let his lawyers do the talking for him, immediately denouncing the allegations as false and taking the first steps ahead of launching defamation proceedings against the Sydney Morning Herald’s Kate McClymont.

The Nine newspaper reported allegations of indecent assault from four men, including an anonymous 2GB employee dubbed Brad Webster, who claimed the broadcaster grabbed his penis as he drove him home.

Jones’ lawyer Mark O’Brien said the allegations were “demonstrably false” and that senior counsel had been hired to begin defamation proceedings.

“In the short time available since publication we have obtained substantial factual information which contradicts and refutes the alleged pattern of conduct by Mr Jones,” he said.

The Daily Telegraph approached his public supporters, including former prime ministers Scott Morrison and Tony Abbott and stud owner John Messara, who all declined to publicly support him.

There were a few notable exceptions.

Former prime minister John Howard said: “As you know, Alan Jones is a good friend of mine. I have no knowledge of the matters canvassed in the Sydney Morning Herald.”

One friend said Jones’ friends remained loyal to him but were remaining silent because legal action had begun.

“In 30 years of friendship I have never seen anything like this,” he said.

“We are standing by him privately but feel it is best to leave it to his lawyers to do the talking.”

Celebrity accountant Anthony Bell said on Friday: “I have known Alan and his family for many years. I have never seen him say or do anything at all inappropriate.

“What I have seen is every time I’ve asked him for help to raise money for charity, in particular the purchase of life saving children’s medical equipment, he has always come to help and even donated personally.”

Chris Smith (top left), Peta Credlin (top right), John Laws (bottom left) and John Howard (bottom right), came out in defence of Alan Jones (centre) on Thursday.

Over the years, Jones has helped and supported a string of sports stars including tennis player Mark Philippoussis and diver Matthew Mitcham.

They too remained silent.

In the past, Jones famously called his most loyal inner sanctum of friends the Pick and Stick Club. Among those who did defend him publicly on Thursday was broadcaster Chris Smith, who himself was sacked from 2GB and Sky News for lewd behaviour at a Christmas party.

“I have never, ever been told of such untoward behaviour from Alan directed towards staff,” Smith said.

“I tend to pick and stick.”

Sky News host Peta Credlin also defended her “good friend’’ Jones on her program on Thursday night, hitting out at the newspaper reports.

Referencing allegations about Jones’ alleged poor treatment of women, Credlin said: “In my experience nothing could be further from the truth.”

Former colleague John Laws said he was surprised by the reports.

“What’s printed in the newspapers today isn’t a side of Alan I’ve personally ever witnessed,” Laws said.

“I’ve got to say I’m quite surprised by the allegations.”

Jake Thrupp, pictured with Alan Jones declined to comment.

The allegations divided Jones’ former colleagues at 2GB, which is also owned by Nine, with breakfast host Ben Fordham going on air in Jones’ old slot to tell listeners the allegations came from multiple people, including one who worked at the station for years.

“They are denied by Alan Jones. You would have heard me say this many, many times on this program and I’ll say it again the accused is innocent until proven otherwise,” Fordham said.

Morning host Ray Hadley said he had severed his relationship with Jones after the 2GB employee confided in him about the alleged misconduct and sworn him to secrecy.

“I regard this man not as an attention-seeker or someone who seeks notoriety, but rather directly the opposite,” Hadley said.

“The behaviour he was alleging was unwanted sexual advances from a person in power, that person being his boss, Alan Jones.”

The employee said the assaults began when he started as a 20-year-old at the station, and included being kissed in the lift and fondled as he drove the broadcaster home.

“I would be driving and he would have put his hand on my leg, and then you’d sort of push his hand away, just try and wriggle out. But you’re driving, you’re absolutely trapped … he’d go the grope, he’d rub my penis,” he said.

“If I went to the police, Jones could be charged. What he did to me was a criminal offence. He cannot die without people knowing what he’s done,” he said.

Former cricketer Brett Lee confirmed he had reached out to Jones. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Nine Radio boss Tom Malone emailed staff to tell them to reach out for support if they had been impacted by the allegations.

“The story may be distressing for current or former employees. If you are someone who has been impacted directly or indirectly there are various resources available to you.”

Jones has endured a string of scandals in the past, including his arrest in London for “outraging public decency” in 1988. Those charges were later dropped.

He was also involved in the “cash for comment” scandal, promoting companies without telling listeners he had been paid. He survived that, too.

But the allegations against him now include those from businessman Alexander Hartman, who allegedly told journalists before his death that he was the 82-year-old broadcaster’s “prey” and that he was “not the only one”.

“I would like justice done before he dies,” he said.

Queenslander Marcus Schmidt and waiter Odin Childs both claimed to have been groped by Mr Jones.

Mr Childs was working as a 22-year-old in a Kiama restaurant in 2008 when he alleged a drunken Jones grabbed and fondled his penis.

“He came back in from the toilet and pressed himself up against me,” he said.

“It’s a disgusting feeling and it’s hard to talk about.”

Jones’ young protege Jake Thrupp, who started opinion streaming service ADH TV with Jones as the main drawcard, is overseas and declined to comment on Thursday.

Originally published as ‘True gent’: Brett Lee reaches out to Alan Jones after assault claims