Radio broadcaster Alan Jones denies multiple indecent assault allegations

In a statement released through his lawyers, former broadcaster Alan Jones has strongly denied allegations of indecent assault made against him by a number of men during his influential radio career.

• Coach, commentator and walking headline

Former broadcaster Alan Jones has strongly denied allegations of indecent assault made against him by a number of men during his influential radio career.

A statement released by his lawyers, Mark O’Brien Legal, said allegations against Jones by Kate McClymont published today in the Nine newspapers are demonstrably false.

“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,” the statement read.

“We have retained Senior Counsel and have instructions to immediately serve a Concerns Notice under Section 12A of the Defamation Act as the first step in the commencement of defamation proceedings.

“There will be no further comment by or on behalf of Mr Jones.”

The Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday claimed Jones, a former speechwriter for prime minister Malcolm Fraser, used his position of power to prey on men, allegedly groping or inappropriately touching them without their consent.

One former 2GB employee, who alleges he was repeatedly inappropriately touched by Jones, said: “He cannot die without people knowing what he’s done.”

Alan Jones has denied the allegations.

A recent photo shows Alan Jones having breakfast on the Gold Coast last month.

Jones’ former long-time colleague Ray Hadley addressed the news live on air.

Hadley took aim at Jones, claiming he spoke to a former 2GB employee going by the alias of Brad Webster to protect his identity.

Hadley explained Webster shared his story with him “some time ago”.

“The person known as Bradley Webster approached me about having a meeting,” Hadley told listeners.

“I readily agreed having known this person for some time, but I had no idea what he was wanting to talk about. He told me his story at the time and I was not aware of those circumstances until that day.”

He continued of the emotional meeting: “In the next 40 minutes I sat silently as he went through the allegations documented in today’s story, uninterrupted only by his tears as he tried to compose himself.

“It was a very emotional conversation for both of us. The behaviour he was alleging was unwanted sexual advances from a person in a position of power, that being his boss Alan Jones … Bradley described in acute detail what he alleged had occurred.

“He told me by sharing this story that it was the first time he felt unburdened. He told me that morning he was grateful for me listening and I was grateful he trusted me.”

Hadley claimed that Bradley at the time wanted the conversation to stay anonymous and claimed his relationship with Jones had been “severed” since speaking to Webster.

Ray Hadley addressed the claims on his 2GB show on Thursday. Picture: Tim Pascoe

Jones hosted the number one rating breakfast show on 2GB from 2002 to 2020 with Hadley on air from 9am mornings.

“My relationship with Alan Jones goes back over 30 years, it’s been an unusual one,” Hadley explained.

“We’ve had many battles and some good times but from the day I spoke to Bradley our relationship was severed. Given that it was already strained over other matters not related to the allegation made by Bradley.

“I should point out that the Sydney Morning Herald and 2GB are owned by Nine Entertainment. I will be making no further comment on today’s article.”

Nine Radio boss Tom Malone addressed the story in an all-staff email.

“The story may be distressing for current or former employees,” he wrote.

“If you are someone who has been impacted directly or indirectly there are various resources available to you.”

Mr Malone advised staff to “feel safe to speak”.

“We take our responsibility to create a supportive and respectful workplace very seriously, and continue to work with people across all parts of the business to support anyone impacted historically or currently to resolve issues that may arise in their day to day roles.”

He ended the email with: “Please look after each other at this time and reach out to us or other colleagues as you need.”

Nine Radio managing director Tom Malone told colleagues to “feel safe to speak”.

Former colleague Ben Fordham spoke about the allegations on his 2GB radio program on Thursday morning, saying “it’s not an easy topic for us to cover here at 2GB.”

“They’re serious allegations involving someone who called this place home for nearly 20 years,” he said.

“But, as Alan knows better than anyone, we don’t hide around here from tough topics.

“The allegations have come from multiple people, including from one who worked here for many years. But they have not been proven. They are denied by Alan Jones.

“You would have heard me say this many, many times on this program and I will say it again now - the accused is innocent until proven otherwise.

Ben Fordham spoke about the allegations on his radio program Thursday morning. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Law firm Mark O’Brien Legal later issued a statement: “Our client denies ever having indecently assaulted the persons referred to in your letter, and your suggestion that he has is scandalous, grossly offensive and seriously defamatory of him.”

2SM’s John Laws said he was loath to comment on the story on his radio program Thursday morning.

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

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

The 82-year-old began his working life as a teacher in his home state of Queensland in the 1960s before forging a successful career as a sports coach in tennis, athletics and rugby union.

After moving to Canberra in the mid 1970s he failed to win preselection to stand as a Country Party candidate for federal parliament.

Alan Jones arriving at the funeral of Carla Zampatti in 2021. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

He moved to England in the coming years to complete his diploma studies and returned to Sydney for another failed political bid, eventually recruited as a speechwriter for Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser.

In the early 1980s he began his semi-professional rugby union coaching foray, helping Manly win the Shute Shield for the first time in 32 years in 1983.

By February 1984 he replaced Bob Dwyer as Wallabies coach, leading the national side to 23 wins in 30 Tests over the next four years.

In 1988, Jones was arrested in London and charged with “outraging public decency” and “committing an indecent act” over an incident in the public toilets in Broadwick Street, Soho.

The charges were dropped.

In 1990, Jones made a shock switch to coach Balmain in the NSWRL, leading the Tigers with moderate success until the end of 1993.

Amid his coaching career, Jones joined Sydney radio station 2UE in 1985 and over the coming decade rose as a radio host to hold one of the largest audiences in the city.

During this time he earned the title as a shock jock, largely through his conservative views, but also held sway as a hugely influential broadcast figure.

In 2002 he switched to 2GB before announcing he would retire in May 2020.

Alan Jones has been contacted for comment.

More to come