Man charged after ABC host Stan Grant visits Sydney police station

The ABC host was pictured at the station days after revealing he was stepping away from Q+A after receiving horrific racial abuse and threats.

Stan Grant and wife Tracey Holmes are seen at Randwick police station in Sydney's east. Pictures: Media Mode

Police have charged a man with making online threats towards Stan Grant just hours after the journalist and his wife were spotted attending a Sydney police station to file a complaint.

On Wednesday, Grant, 59, and wife Tracey Holmes were seen at Randwick police station in Sydney’s east.

NSW Police have confirmed in a statement to news.com.au that officers arrested a man on Thursday after investigating alleged threats made against a “59-year-old man”.

“About 11.50am on Tuesday (25 May 2023), officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command received a report of alleged online threats made against a 59-year-old man,” the statement reads.

“Following inquires, police arrested a 41-year-old man in Fairfield Heights at 6.40pm yesterday (Wednesday 24 May 2023).

“The man was taken to Fairfield Police Station where he was charged with use carriage to threaten serious harm and carriage service to menace/harass/offend.

“The man was granted bail to appear before Fairfield Local Court on Wednesday 31 May 2023.”

Stan Grant visited Randwick station days after stepping down from Q+A. Picture: Media Mode

Grant’s wife Tracey Holmes also attended the station. Picture: Media Mode

The development comes just days after Grant revealed he was stepping down from the ABC after copping despicable racist abuse and threats.

The Q+A host, a proud Wiradjuri man, announced he would be “walking away” from the show in an essay published on the ABC’s website on Friday, citing racist abuse while at the helm of the program.

He appeared on the show for the final time on Monday night, making a powerful statement before his exit.

“I’ve had to learn that endurance is not always strength. Sometimes, strength is knowing when to say stop and to those who have sent messages of support – thank you so much. But I’ll be OK,” he said at the end of the program.

Police launched an investigation over online threats. Picture: Media Mode

A 41-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday. Picture: Media Mode

In a recent statement to the media, the ABC’s news director, Justin Stevens, also said that Grant “has been subject to grotesque racist abuse, including threats to his safety”.

“This has become particularly virulent since he appeared as part of the ABC’s coronation coverage,” he said, adding that “the ABC has and will continue to refer any threats to police”.

Mr Stevens revealed on Wednesday that Grant has taken eight weeks of leave and has not resigned altogether. He said he hoped the presenter will return to work after his time away is completed.

News.com.au contacted the ABC for comment.

It comes as dozens of employees gathered in front of the broadcaster’s Sydney headquarters at Ultimo, outside Parliament House at Canberra and outside the Melbourne headquarters on Monday afternoon in a show of support for Grant.

The ABC's panel during King Charles III's coronation including co-chair of the Australian Republic Movement Craig Foster, Liberal MP Julian Lesser, presenters Jeremy Fernandez and Julia Baird and Q+A host Stan Grant on May 6.

In a lengthy statement on Friday, Grant confirmed he had copped vile criticism following his discussion of colonisation on the ABC’s coverage of the recent coronation of King Charles.

“Since the King’s coronation, I have seen people in the media lie and distort my words. They have tried to depict me as hate filled. They have accused me of maligning Australia,” he said, adding that “nothing could be further from the truth” and that his ancestors would not allow him to be “filled with hate”.

“I don’t take time out because of racism … I take time out because we have shown again that our history — our hard truth — is too big, too fragile, and too precious for the media,” he said.

“I am writing this not because I think it will make a difference. No doubt the haters will twist this, too, and trigger another round of racism.”

The ABC Ombudsman is investigating the editorial complaints received about the coverage.