Former 2GB host Ray Hadley appeared in the NSW Local Court on Tuesday to give evidence in the trial of his radio rival, Alan Jones. Jones, 85, is facing 20 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching without consent, allegations he denies.
Six men have accused Jones of indecent assault and sexual misconduct between 2003 and 2023 in Sydney and the NSW Southern Highlands. One complainant, a former radio staffer, alleges Jones indecently assaulted him repeatedly over five months while they worked together. This former staffer previously told the court he confided in Hadley about the alleged assaults.
During his testimony, Hadley reportedly did not make eye contact with Jones upon entering the courtroom but did glance at his former rival once in the witness box. The court heard previously that the former staffer confided in Hadley, saying, "He's a f***ing grub. He used to grab me on the cock." The staffer requested Hadley keep the matter secret and declined an offer to go to the police together, stating, "I didn't want anyone to know."
The former staffer revealed the alleged assaults to Hadley after journalist Peter FitzSimons began researching similar allegations. While he did not wish to be identified, the staffer stated he wanted FitzSimons to be aware of the claims' veracity.
Jones's barrister suggested that the staffer was influenced by Hadley to lodge a complaint against Jones with the aim of harming his rival. However, the staffer denied this, stating that while Hadley and Jones disliked each other, they were not direct rivals. The staffer described the tension between the two as a "beef."
Conversely, a former colleague testified on Tuesday that Hadley and Jones were indeed competing for the popular breakfast radio slot. This colleague described a "fierce power struggle" between the two hosts. He also stated he was informed that Hadley had signed a "secret contract" to replace Jones. This plan, according to the former colleague, did not materialize due to intervention from the chairman of Nine, which then owned 2GB.
Alan Jones retired from radio in 2020, four years before his arrest. He has denied all charges, which are alleged to have occurred during the latter part of his 35-year broadcasting career. The trial is expected to continue into November.