Ex-2GB broadcaster says he did not witness alleged Alan Jones grab

A former 2GB presenter says he did not see veteran broadcaster Alan Jones grab one of his alleged victims under the table at a Sydney restaurant or that he had overheard remarks suggesting the man had “copped a feel”, a court has been told.

Mr Jones, 85, is standing trial in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court having pleaded not guilty to 20 counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching.

The second male alleged victim to give evidence during the trial – a man who can only be known as “Complainant C” – has alleged Mr Jones touched his penis on the outside of his clothes and kissed him without his consent on multiple occasions.

Mr Jones has been charged with touching C underneath the table during a lunch at a Sydney north shore restaurant nearly 20 years ago.

C previously told the court the incident was witnessed by several people, and it left him feeling embarrassed. He testified a guest at the lunch later remarked to him: “You copped a feel under the table? Did you like it?”

C told the court the comment was said in the presence of ex-2GB presenter Jason Morrison.

In his evidence to the court on Tuesday, Mr Morrison – who is currently The Daily Telegraph’s chief of staff – said he did not see Mr Jones’ hand under the table and in C’s lap.

“No, I didn’t, no,” Mr Morrison said when asked by Crown prosecutor Georgina Wright if he had witnessed the alleged incident.

He also denied observing C was “embarrassed”, telling the court C appeared “frustrated that he was over the other side of the table and he wanted to be over with us”.

Mr Morrison has told the court some people had remarked to C that he and Mr Jones “looked like a great couple”.

However he said that was “banter” and they were making fun of C because he was at the “adult end of the table” and it appeared “he wanted to be at the fun end”.

Mr Morrison previously described it as a “quite a fun occasion” and did not see anything untoward.

Ms Wright suggested to Mr Morrison that he made the joke about them looking like a “great couple” because he saw Mr Jones’ hand under the table.

“I mean if I was aware of that and given … my forthright manner, I would have raised it. I didn’t because I didn’t see it.”