Ray Hadley back on air after son’s ‘battles’
VETERAN broadcaster Ray Hadley has returned to his popular morning program on 2GB today after it was revealed his police officer son was charged after allegedly buying cocaine at the weekend. He has now addressed Daniel’s “battle” on air.
NSW
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VETERAN broadcaster Ray Hadley has returned to his popular morning program on 2GB today after it was revealed his police officer son was charged after allegedly buying cocaine at the weekend.
The talkback radio presenter said it would be inappropriate to comment on his son’s “battles” but thanked “thousands” of people for their support after Daniel, 28, was arrested while off duty outside a pub in Rouse Hill on Friday.
2GB’s management had offered Hadley time off but he indicated he would soldier on.
“My employers gave me the chance to have a week off, but I have never hidden from my own shortcomings — of which there are many,” he said on air.
MORE: Ray Hadley breaks down talking about cop son’s cocaine charge
“I am here today to do what I do best, to get on with it and lead by example for my son and my family.”
Hadley said his email account had been inundated with supportive messages but also with abuse from “trolls” after the story broke on Saturday.
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“To the few haters and trolls on social media, you’re being treated with the contempt you deserve,” he said.
He mentioned one email in which a father had said Daniel, a senior constable with NSW Police, had saved his 14-year-old daughter’s life during an unspecified incident.
An emotional Hadley previously said his son had been suffering from ongoing mental health issues at a hastily arranged press conference on Saturday.
“I feel particularly inadequate as a father and as a spokesman for (national mental health campaign) RU OK day when in fact my son is not OK,” Hadley said.
“This is going to be a long, slow process for my son.
“I love him dearly and I wish to God he’d come to me before this morning and told me what he was battling.”
Police allege Daniel, who has since been admitted to a clinic, was found with a small amount of cocaine worth around $200 in a car park outside the Australian Hotel and Brewery.
Another man was arrested in a nearby car and charged with supply and possession of drugs.
Police said Daniel had been under surveillance after a professional standards investigation.
He was hit with a drug possession charge and is due to appear in court next month, with his employment now under review.