Ray Hadley cut contact with Alan Jones after indecent assault ...
2GB host Ray Hadley has revealed he severed contact with Alan Jones after an employee disclosed to him allegations of indecent assault against the veteran broadcaster.
In a statement to listeners of The Ray Hadley Morning Show, Hadley said he had met a then-radio employee dubbed Bradley Webster, who made allegations “some time ago” in “acute detail” against Jones.
Ray Hadley said he had cut contact with Alan Jones after an employee made allegations against Jones.Credit: Peter Rae, YouTube
Jones has denied all allegations against him.
On Thursday, this masthead published allegations that Jones used his position of power to prey on a number of young men, indecently assaulting them, groping or inappropriately touching them without their consent.
Webster was among them. Hadley said this masthead’s reporting concurred with what Webster told him. Hadley said since hearing the accusations from the former employee, “our relationship was basically severed”.
“My relationship with Alan Jones goes back 30 years. It’s been an unusual one; we’ve had many battles and some good times,” he said.
“From the day I spoke to Bradley, our relationship was basically severed, given it had already been strained over other matters not related to the allegations made by Bradley.”
Hadley told listeners Webster approached him about having a meeting during which he told him his story.
“I regard this young man as not being an attention seeker or a person who seeks notoriety but rather directly the opposite,” he said.
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“Bradley now has a life far removed from this radio station.
“I was obviously aware he worked with Alan Jones when he first started at the station.
“He told me at the start of our conversation that what he is alleging had never been shared with anyone except for me on that day. He asked for my complete assurance that I would not share the story with anyone unless he expressly gave me permission.
“In the next 40 minutes, I sat silently as he went through the allegations documented in today’s story, interrupted only by his tears as he tried to compose himself. It was a very emotional conversation for both of us.
“The behaviour he was alleging was unwanted sexual advances from a person in the position of power. That being his boss, Alan Jones.”
Hadley said Bradley described in acute detail what he alleged had occurred and told Hadley that, by sharing his story, it was the first time he felt unburdened.
“At the time, I offered Bradley my unqualified support, and I asked him what he wanted me to do next,” Hadley said.
“I offered to speak to the then station owner and then station chairman, or perhaps act as a support person. Bradley said he had too much to lose, and he’d be crushed by making such an allegation. He asked me to promise I would never reveal what we had discussed without his express permission.”
Hadley said Webster had now given him permission to reveal details of the conversation.
In response to detailed questions sent to Jones by this masthead, law firm Mark O’Brien Legal said in a statement: “Our client denies ever having indecently assaulted the persons referred to in your letter, and your suggestion that he has is scandalous, grossly offensive and seriously defamatory of him.”
Ben Fordham said the story was “confronting” for staff. Credit: Louise Kennerley
Earlier on Thursday, 2GB host Ben Fordham also addressed the allegations of indecent assault, saying they were “confronting” for 2GB listeners.
“It impacts some former staff members of this radio station, and it involves allegations against Alan Jones,” Fordham said.
“Alan knows better than anyone that we don’t shy away from challenging topics and that’s why we are talking about this case here and now.”
“This is not an easy topic for us to cover here at 2GB because they’re serious allegations involving someone who called this place home for nearly 20 years, but as Alan knows better than anyone we don’t hide around here from tough topics,” Fordham said.
“The allegations have come from multiple people including one who worked here for many years, but they have not been proven. They are denied by Alan Jones.
Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones. Credit: Dean Sewell
“You would have heard me say this many, many times on this program and I’ll say it again now – the accused is innocent until proven otherwise.”
2GB and this masthead are owned by Nine Entertainment. In an email to all radio staff on Thursday morning, Nine management also said the story may be “distressing” for employees and that a dedicated support phone line had been set up for anyone “who has been impacted directly or indirectly”.
The email, from Tom Malone, Nine’s managing director – radio, and HR director Vanessa Morley, offered support to employees who may be impacted by the story with a dedicated phone line.
“The story may be distressing for current or former employees,” the email said.
“We take our responsibility to create a supportive and respectful workplace very seriously, and continue to work with people across all parts of the business to support anyone impacted historically or currently to resolve issues that may arise in their day-to-day roles.”
The email urged staff to look out for each other and reach out to colleagues for support.
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