EXCLUSIVE
Talkback radio king Ray Hadley is among a number of high-profile industry figures who will likely be called to give evidence against his one-time colleague Alan Jones.
Daily Mail can reveal Hadley – and several other key 2GB staffers – have been interviewed by police following allegations Jones abused his powerful position to prey on vulnerable young men.
It is understood Hadley has indicated to detectives he is prepared to give evidence against his former top-rating colleague after one of Jones’ alleged victims confided in him several years ago.
Hadley severed his relationship with Jones in the wake of the revelations and has since offered his unequivocal support to those speaking up about their alleged encounters with the former breakfast radio icon.
Detectives have spent nine months secretly building a case against Jones before arresting him at his palatial penthouse overlooking Sydney’s Circular Quay on Monday morning.
Jones, 83, was seen being driven away by detectives from the harbourside home to be quizzed at Sydney’s Day St Police station over the allegations he indecently assaulted, groped or inappropriately touched young men.
Hadley and Jones are two of the most successful broadcasters in the nation’s history having transformed 2GB from a low-rating station into Sydney’s high rating – and highly profitable – market leading outlet with their breakfast and morning shows.
Hadley addressed the police swoop on his morning radio show, but insisted his imminent retirement had nothing to do with Jones arrest.
He worked with Jones at Sydney’s top-rating radio station 2GB for many years and announced earlier this month that he was retiring after 43 years behind the microphone.
‘To the narks who are contacting me about me leaving because of this and all the rest of it … this had nothing whatsoever to do with my decision,’ Hadley, 70, said on Monday.
‘It is completely devoid of the decision I’ve taken.’
After telling listeners he intended to ring Nine newspaper journalist Kate McClymont, who broke the news of Jones’ arrest on Monday, Hadley said he could not comment further on the matter ‘because it will now be before the court’.
However, he also gave a cryptic explanation of why he could not talk about it any further, which hinted at his own involvement in the investigation.
‘And at some time in the future, those reasons why I’m not commenting on today will become patently obvious to everyone, patently obvious,’ Hadley said.
Last December Hadley revealed his 30-year relationship with Jones had been ‘severed’ after the accusations were made against the 83-year-old.
Hadley said a former 2GB employee, who was given the pseudonym of Brad Webster, confided in him during a private meeting that he was one of four men alleging Jones had groped him and performed other inappropriate acts.
‘I regard this man not as an attention-seeker or someone who seeks notoriety – but rather directly the opposite,’ he said.
‘The behaviour he was alleging was unwanted sexual advances from a person in power, that person being his boss Alan Jones.’
Hadley said he had offered to be Webster’s ‘support person’ at 2GB and speak to the then-station owner and chairman about his allegations.
‘He told me at the start of our conversation that what he was alleging had never been shared with anyone except for me that day,’ he said.
‘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 (Sydney Morning Herald) story, interrupted only by his tears as he tried to compose himself.
‘As a fierce supporter for anyone who finds themselves in this type of situation, my support and actions are always guided by the alleged victims.
‘If they ask me not to pursue the matter I respect their wishes.’
Jones has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and his lawyers have described the allegations against him as demonstrably false and defamatory.
Hadley will sign-off from his top-rating morning show for the final time on December 13 despite having about two years left to run on his multimillion-dollar deal at Nine.
After announcing the move last week Hadley said he wanted to spend more time with wife Sophie, his children and grandchildren after decades of 3.30am starts.
‘I achieved far more than I have thought I would,’ Hadley told listeners.
‘My children, Dan, Laura, Emma and Sarah, have made many sacrifices over the years for me to realise my ambitions.
‘Seven years ago I had no grandchildren, now I have seven, and I want to spend more time in the company of Ava, Noah, Ella, Lola, Tommy, Remi and Millar along with their parents.’
Daily Mail revealed last week that Hadley was seen ‘deep in conversation’ with executives at Sky News , with a TV gig possible in the near future.