Ray Hadley breaks down talking about cop son’s cocaine charge

BREAKING down during a hastily called press conference, broadcaster Ray Hadley felt emotions ranging from “anger” to “perplexed” when told his policeman son had allegedly bought cocaine.

BROADCASTER Ray Hadley, a man who has devoted large parts of his radio career railing against the evils of drugs, had to face one of his greatest disappointments yesterday.

His beloved son Daniel, whom he described as “a respected police officer”, was arrested after allegedly buying $200 worth of ­cocaine from a dealer outside a Sydney pub.

Breaking down during a hastily called press conference, Hadley described a series of emotions that ran the gamut from “anger” to “perplexed”.

READ RAY HADLEY’S STATEMENT IN FULL

Reading from a prepared statement, the distraught 2GB morning host said: “I brought Daniel back to my home and my anger turned to shock and sadness.”

Ray Hadley in tears today. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Daniel Hadley, 28, a police ­senior constable, was allegedly caught in possession of 0.79g of cocaine at the Australian Hotel And Brewery at Rouse Hill on Friday night.

He had been under surveillance, suspected of illegal drug use, when police claim he was spotted buying drugs in the carpark.

Not long after Daniel Hadley’s arrest, another man was arrested in a nearby car and charged with supply and possession of drugs.

Hadley said his son, whom he regards as his golden boy, had been admitted to a clinic.

“My son revealed to me he’s been having mental health ­issues,” said Hadley, who is exp­ected to return to air tomorrow.

“I feel particularly inadequate as a father and as a spokesman for R U OK Day when, in fact, my son is not OK.

“I’m not a medical professional and I won’t guess the nature of his illness but I will tell you it’s very serious and his family — me, his mum, sisters, aunts and uncles — are very concerned.”

Senior Constable Daniel Hadley.

The off-duty officer had recently separated from Tahlee Anderson, his wife of two years, and was a regular patron at the pub.

Sources said Daniel Hadley has been off work for three weeks and is believed to be suffering from a post-traumatic stress disorder-related illness.

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Hadley said: “Daniel accepts responsibility for his behaviour but unfortunately is not in control of his mental health.

“I now know how many parents feel when they think things are OK when they’re not.”

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A member of NSW Police for seven years, Daniel’s future with the force is now under review. He was granted conditional bail and will appear at Parramatta Local Court on September 12.

The son of the well-known broadcaster graduates from the Police Academy in 2012 with his proud dad by his side. Picture: Andrew Taylor

Radio personality Ray Hadley with then-five-year-old son Daniel.

A former plumber, Daniel’s induction into the police force reduced his 63-year-old father to tears. At the graduation ceremony in Goulburn, Hadley said: “I knew it would be emotional but it doesn’t prepare you for what happens, when they throw their caps in the air. I’m very proud of him.”

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The alleged incident occurred at the Australian Hotel and Brewery, Rouse Hill.

Hadley and his son, the eldest of his four children, were engulfed in an AVO scandal in 2014 involving Hadley’s former wife and Daniel’s stepmother Suzanne Hadley.

She lodged an apprehended violence order against her former husband and Daniel but later withdrew her complaint.