Ray Hadley hints at giving evidence as more charges laid against Alan Jones

Veteran radio broadcaster Ray Hadley may play ‘some sort of other role’ in the case against his former colleague Alan Jones, as friends rallied behind the accused broadcaster.

Broadcaster Alan Jones leaves Day Street Police Station after being granted bail. Picture: Liam Mendes

Veteran radio broadcaster Ray Hadley has hinted he may provide evidence in the case against his former 2GB colleague Alan Jones, as friends rallied behind the accused broadcaster after a ninth complainant came forward with allegations.

Former prime minister John Howard and billionaire businessman James Packer were among those offering cautiously worded support for Jones following charges on Monday of multiple counts of alleged indecent assault and sexual touching offences spanning two decades.

On Tuesday, police announced that “following further legal advice”, Jones had been charged with an extra two counts of assault with act of indecency relating to a ninth alleged victim.

The complainants include a prominent Olympian, a 17-year-old and several men who were in his employ.

Jones’s lawyer Chris Murphy said his client “denies any misconduct” and would “assert his innocence” in court.

Police said they ­believed more people might now come forward with allegations.

Speaking on 2GB on Tuesday, Hadley said he would be “playing no public role in this matter” but alluded to “some sort of other role” as the case proceeds.

Ray Hadley and Alan Jones in 2014, as radio 2GB celebrated 10 years as the No 1 radio station in Sydney at their Pyrmont offices. Picture: Mark Evans

“Those complaints have now led to the 24 charges against Mr Jones; the next time he is in court is on December 18 and the matter will be dealt with then and appropriately,” Hadley said.

“By that time I will have finished on air, and I’ll be playing no public role in this matter; I may play some sort of other role, but I won’t be playing a public role in this matter into the future because I retire on December 13, he goes to court on December 18.”

Jones has strenuously denied the allegations against him and is expected to plead not guilty to all charges. Any trial would be unlikely to take place until late next year.

Hadley had commented on Jones’s arrest prior to his show on Monday, saying he “had been aware of things happening behind the scenes for some time”.

“After working with Alan Jones for over three decades, my relationship with him soured five years ago over allegations … aired in The Sydney Morning Herald previously,” Hadley said.

On Tuesday, as Jones was hit with the extra two charges for alleged offending against a ninth victim, Mr Howard, who has known him for more than 40 years, issued a brief statement declaring that “as is well known, Alan Jones is a good friend of mine”.

Then federal opposition leader John Howard with Wallabies Test rugby coach Alan Jones i 1987. Picture: Anthony Moran.

Mr Howard said he had “no knowledge of the matters which are the subject of police charges” and declined any further comment.

Sky News host Peta Credlin criticised police on Monday for arresting Jones at his home and tipping off the media rather than allowing him to present himself to a police station.

“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,” she said.

“I wish my friend well for what will be a difficult few months ahead.”

Mr Packer, a long-time friend of Jones, said simply: “Alan is my friend and he is entitled to the presumption of innocence.”

Alan Jones and James Packer leave Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in December 2000 following a visit with Packer’s father, Kerry, who was recuperating from a kidney transplant. Picture: Angela Brkic.

Last year, the billionaire reportedly invested millions in Australian Digital Holdings, the conservative online platform Jones co-founded in 2021 following his departure from Nine Entertainment and Sky News Australia.

Jones famously lobbied then NSW premier Barry O’Farrell to grant Mr Packer’s Crown group a second Sydney casino licence, without the bid going to tender.

After the three men discussed the bid at a private lunch in Jones’s luxury harbourside apartment, the government changed legislation to allow a second casino to operate at Barangaroo.

On Tuesday afternoon, Jones’s lawyer Bryan Wrench was pictured entering the apartment in “the Toaster” building where his client was arrested just over 24 hours earlier.

Police granted Jones bail under the strict conditions that he surrender his passport and not enter any airport. He is required to remain living in Sydney and is not allowed to contact any complainant or witness. He is also not permitted to disclose the identities of alleged victims to the media or any third party, except his lawyers.