Alan Jones’ ‘pick and stick’ club can expect a call as he gathers character witnesses after charges

Billionaire James Packer has thrown his support behind Alan Jones after the broadcaster was charged with a string of offences. Read what he said.

Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones has a list of contacts in his mobile phone that includes Prime Ministers, premiers and business leaders most of whom have been on first name terms with him for years.

In the past Jones has been able to count on their support but after he was charged with 24 charges of indecently assaulting and sexually touching eight alleged victims on Monday and another two charges against a ninth person today, those high profile supporters have been notably silent.

Jones has been famous for his pick-and-stick policy of standing by those he had chosen no matter what the odds.

Alan Jones arrives with detectives at Day Street Police Station after his arrest on Monday. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Sometimes he was right - he backed Kathleen Folbigg who was wrongfully convicted of killing her four children for years and later pardoned.

And sometimes he was wrong - demanding a new investigation into Andrew Kaljzich’s murder case which proved he was guilty.

But he stuck by those he picked.

When the first allegations were aired at the end of last year Jones was able to count on support from high profile friends including former Prime Minister John Howard and billionaire James Packer who said Jones was a “dear, dear friend” who it was “a pleasure” to support.

“Alan is a dear, dear friend who I love, and it’s a pleasure to support him.”

On Tuesday, Mr Packer released a futher statement to The Australian Financial Review, saying: “Alan Jones is my friend and he is entitled to the presumption of innocence,” Mr Packer said in a short statement to The Australian Financial Review.

Peta Credlin spoke about Jones on her show. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard has long been a supporter of Jones. Picture Gaye Gerard

On Monday night as he emerged from Day Street police station it was left to his lawyer Chris Murphy to state that the 83-year-old broadcaster would “assert his innocence” in court.

Later in the evening Sky News commentator and former Liberal staffer Peta Credlin stepped up and told viewers the allegations were “entirely out of character” for the man she knows.

“I’ve known Alan well for nearly two decades, and seen him in many different contexts, and the behaviour alleged is entirely out of character with the man I’ve known,” Credlin said.

James Packer has previously supported Jones. Picture: Getty Images

“These allegations will now be tested in court where evidence will be put forward and that evidence judged. All of it, in a very public way.

“As it should be because we believe in the rule of law in this country and we expect it to be applied openly, transparently and fairly.”

She also criticised NSW Police for tipping off the media to witness his arrest rather than allowing him to present himself to the police station to be charged.

“I wish my friend well for what will be a difficult few months ahead. I do not know what happened in the past, but I know tonight — for everyone involved — this is a traumatic day,” she said.

When the allegation emerged last year, former Prime Minister John Howard said: ‘Alan Jones is a good friend of mine. I have no knowledge of the matters canvassed in the Sydney Morning Herald.’

Jones, who police said was “calm” throughout the day, is understood to have had no idea the police raid was coming.

Those who have listened to him on air for almost four decades know he will not back down from the fight against the allegations.

As he gathers his character witnesses, those contacts in his phone can expect a call.

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Originally published as Alan Jones’ ‘pick and stick’ club can expect a call as he gathers character witnesses after charges