Alan Jones trial exposes rift between former Sydney talkback giants

Alan Jones’ criminal trial has exposed a deep rift between former 2GB heavyweights, days before ex-hosts Ray Hadley and Jason Morrison are expected to testify in the case.

Jones, 85, is standing trial on 20 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching relating to six male complainants between 2003 and 2020. He vehemently denies the allegations.

Text messages in 2024 between Hadley and complainant “C”, one of Jones’ accusers, were aired in the Downing Centre Local Court trial on Wednesday.

In the messages, Hadley and “C” were critical of Morrison’s perceived allegiance to Jones following allegations made by “C”, reported by this masthead using a pseudonym for the complainant.

The text messages formed part of the cross-examination of “C” by Jones’ barrister, Gabrielle Bashir SC, over his claims the former broadcaster groped him at a lunch event on Sydney’s lower north shore almost 20 years ago.

“C”, who was then a staffer to Jones, has told the court that the then-2GB radio host put his hand under the table and touched the complainant’s penis over his clothing during the lunch.

One of the lunch attendees was allegedly Morrison, the court has heard. Morrison and Hadley are both expected to give evidence in the weeks ahead.

Complainant “C” told the trial earlier this week that he was left feeling “deeply embarrassed” after the lunch when another guest said to him: “You copped a feel under the table? Did you like it?”

The complainant has alleged that Morrison was present when the other guest made that remark.

Bashir put to “C”: “You are aware Jason Morrison denies seeing that, don’t you?”

The court heard that “C” messaged Hadley in 2024, years after the lunch, and sent an article about Morrison being appointed to run Jones’ brief foray into online videos.

Hadley replied, the court heard, that “he’s a f---ing dog” and “Jones won’t be back anyway”.

“C” wrote to Hadley that it “explains why he lied to [this masthead’s] Kate [McClymont] about what he witnessed Jones do to me. Dog by the very definition.”

Bashir put to “C”: “You were aware Jason Morrison denied seeing anything because Kate McClymont told you.”