Andrew Bolt, Peta Credlin and Ray Hadley have all spoken out in the wake of the arrest of former broadcaster and Wallabies Coach Alan Jones‘ arrest yesterday as fresh new charges, and a ninth victim come to light.
Please note: This article discusses themes of sexual assault that may be distressing to some readers.
NSW Police arrested the veteran broadcaster yesterday at his luxury Circular Quay apartment over allegations that he indecently assaulted, groped or inappropriately touched multiple young men.
The arrest is the accumulation of a nine-month-long investigation into the former 2GB presenter. Strike Force Bonnefin, run by the State Crime Command’s child abuse and sex crimes squad, was established following a lengthy investigation by the Herald and The Age in December 2023, which alleged that the 83-year-old had used his position of power, first as a teacher and later as the country’s top-rating radio broadcaster, to allegedly prey on a number of young men.
Jones was arrested yesterday morning by a team of specialist detectives and taken to Day Street police station. NSW Police announced yesterday afternoon they have charged Jones with 24 offences against eight separate victims, including 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault under authority, nine counts of assault with an act of indecency and two counts of common assault.
This morning, he has been hit with two more counts of an act of indecency relating to an alleged ninth victim. The alleged ninth victim was discovered during the process of the investigation.
The NSW Police Assistant Commissioner, Michael Fitzgerald, told the media that the youngest of media the youngest of Jones’ alleged victims was 17 at the time the offence allegedly occurred.
Jones, who vehemently denies all accusations made against him, was granted conditional bail yesterday and will appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.
Media Speaks Out
On her program yesterday evening, Sky News host Peta Credlin spoke out on the charges against her “friend” and former colleague.
“These are very serious allegations,” Credlin prefaced. “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”.
“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.
Credlin reminded viewers that it is a “fundamental rule of justice” that someone be considered innocent until proven guilty. “We are not judges here, nor are we the jury.”
“I note that he wasn’t given the option of presenting himself to the police station, and plainly, the media were briefed in advance of what was to happen – something that doesn’t sit well with any of us who expect justice to be impartial and blind,” she said.
“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.”
On Sky News’ The Bolt Report later that night, host Andrew Bolt called the arrest against a man who was once “Australia’s most powerful and popular broadcaster”, could be one of the “greatest falls from grace we have seen in this country” – if the allegations prove to be true.
Bolt emphasised the same points as Credlin, calling for the public to assume innocence until proven guilty.
He questions who, if anyone else, was aware of the allegations and if laws surrounding free speech make it too difficult for victims to raise these kinds of allegations.
“If so, we are going to be asking ourselves how people bend to power. And ask who else knew of what Jones allegedly did?” Bolt said.
“Are our free speech laws so ridiculous now that it’s now too dangerous to raise such allegations against the powerful? Certainly, alleged victims have said they didn’t dare speak against a man with so much influence.
“I’ve met Jones only briefly a handful of times; I saw or heard nothing – I’ve got to say to me he was always studiously polite.
“But I wonder how – if true – he could allegedly abuse staff while at 2GB over years and years, and not one person in authority there knew.”
The comments from Bolt and Credlin come after Ray Hadley spoke out on his morning show yesterday following the announcement of the arrest. Hadley, who announced his retirement earlier this month, told his listeners that his relationship with Jones had soured five years ago but did not reveal the reasons behind this.
“My main concern at the moment is for the alleged victims who are obviously seeking justice in relation to these matters.”
The allegations
Jones’ arrest follows a significant investigation during which The Sydney Morning Herald‘s Kate McClymont has uncovered multiple allegations against influential broadcaster Alan Jones during his controversial radio career.
The key allegations come from a former 2GB employee who has accused Jones of indecent assault said that what Jones did to him was a criminal offence. “If I went to the police, Jones could be charged… He cannot die without people knowing what he’s done”.
When Brad Webster (alias) was just 20, he began working for the successful radio host at Sydney’s 2GB. At the time, Jones was a potent force in Australia. “He was more powerful than the prime minister,” Webster said. “He could pick up the phone to John Howard and demand for things to be done”.
As a self-professed, quiet, shy young man, Webster was happy to start at the bottom and work his way up, willing to do every “shit job” that came his way. This included driving Jones home from 2GB‘s Pyrmont studios to his Circular Quay apartment.
“During those 10 minutes, it would be wandering hands, and then it just gradually became him grabbing my dick. And he would go for it,” said Webster, demonstrating the vigorous rubbing of his penis. “It was horrible.”
“He knew I wasn’t gay, so it was about power dynamics. I would be driving and he would have put his hand on my leg, and then you’d sort of push his hand away, just try and wriggle out. But you’re driving; you’re absolutely trapped … he’d go the grope, he’d rub my penis”.
Webster would then have to carry Jones’ bags up to his apartment. He alleges that when he was in the lift, Jones would corner him and forcibly kiss him on the lips. With a bag in each hand, Webster was not able to fend him off. “I’d be in the corner standing like that [demonstrating his arms by his side], and he would come over to me and kiss me on the mouth,” he said.
It was the fear of Jones, who is now 82 years of age, dying without the world knowing what he had done that encouraged Webster to finally come forward last year.
Another man claimed that a drunk Jones assaulted him while he was working as a server in a restaurant. “He didn’t look around to see if someone was watching. He just went straight for my penis”. An aspiring musician also described how he was “scared shitless” when Jones allegedly pounced on him and began kissing him.
Jones’ lawyers replied to the SMH at the time with a vehement denial of the allegations. “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”.
Jones is renowned for his strong and often controversial opinions. He was a significant name in Australian talk-back radio from starting on 2UE in 1985 to his retirement from 2GB in 2020. At the time of his retirement, Jones cited ill health as the reason for his leaving. However, many news outlets reported that the change was a forced resignation in response to negative comments about former NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. From 2013, Jones also appeared on Sky News’ Jones & Co but in 2021 his contract was not renewed.
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