Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones has been arrested by NSW police following an investigation into alleged indecent assault and sexual touching offences over two decades.
At about 7:45 am on Monday, detectives executed a search warrant and arrested the 83-year-old in his luxury apartment at Circular Quay, according to a statement from NSW police.
The arrest took place following a lengthy investigation by the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, which revealed in December that Jones had used his position as a teacher and, later, a broadcaster, to allegedly prey on multiple young men over the course of almost 60 years.
Jones has previously denied all allegations against him.
For the past nine months, detectives from Strike Force Bonnefin, which is run by the State Crime Command’s child abuse squad, have been conducting a top-secret investigation into Jones, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
Police said on Monday morning that no charges have been laid, and they are expected to address the media later in the day.
Who is Alan Jones?
Jones had a broadcasting career spanning more than 35 years, but before that, he started out his career as a teacher in 1965 at Brisbane Grammar. This was where he was alleged to have put his hands down a student’s pants.
There’s another allegation of similar behaviour at Jones’ next teaching job at The King’s School in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta.
During Jones’ time as a broadcaster, he is alleged to have indecently assaulted multiple young men.
One former 2GB employee told the Herald last year: “If I went to the police, Jones could be charged. What he did to me was a criminal offence. He cannot die without people knowing what he’s done.”
Other radio professionals have reported seeing Jones’s “inappropriate behaviour” on many occasions, but were scared to say anything because of Jones’ high position of power. And several men from the arts community have alleged that Jones assaulted them at his apartment.
After allegations arose from the Herald in December 2023, Jones threatened to sue, with his lawyer, Mark O’Brien, saying the allegations constituted “a concerted attempt to destroy our client’s reputation”. Jones is yet to commence legal action.
Jones is best-known for his radio program on 2GB and for his show on Sky News. His contract with Sky News Australia was not renewed in November 2021.
Later, Jones joined streaming news channel ADH TV, which features conservative political commentators. His last show aired in November 2023.