Former radio broadcaster Ray Hadley has acknowledged his long-running hatred of Alan Jones, as a court heard details of a secret contract that would have seen him take over his rival’s coveted breakfast radio slot.
Hadley returned to the witness box on Wednesday in the trial of Jones, who has pleaded not guilty to 22 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching involving six complainants.
Much of Wednesday’s cross-examination centred on the relationship between the two former 2GB stars and whether Hadley’s evidence against Jones had been influenced by years of professional rivalry.
The court heard Hadley had signed a confidential agreement in 2018 that would have seen him replace Jones as host of 2GB’s breakfast program, with a reported salary of $4 million a year.
Jones ultimately remained in the role after signing a new contract.
Under questioning from Jones’s barrister, Gabrielle Bashir SC, Hadley rejected suggestions he had wanted the breakfast position or had a personal stake in the outcome of the case.
“That’s because it’s incorrect,” Hadley said when asked whether he was concerned the defence would argue he had wanted Jones’s program.
He accepted however that he had held hostility towards his former colleague.
“You harboured animosity towards Mr Jones at that time, didn’t you?” Bashir asked.
“I wasn’t happy with him … Probably, yes,” Hadley replied.
The court was shown a series of messages Hadley had sent over several years, including correspondence with one of Jones’s alleged victims, known as Complainant C.
In one message sent in 2019, Hadley said Jones “needs to be destroyed”. Later messages, sent after allegations about Jones became public in 2023, were also read to the court.
“I won’t rest until we bury him figuratively speaking or literally,” one message said.
Another said Hadley would “tear his supporters apart”.
Hadley was also questioned about his use of offensive and derogatory language about Jones, including a homophobic slur, which he described as “a very strong word”.
The defence repeatedly highlighted the bitter history between the two broadcasters, with Bashir previously telling the court that “rivalry, treachery, double dealing, money, hatred, desperation, opportunism and more” were central to the circumstances surrounding the allegations.
Hadley denied that his evidence was motivated by professional jealousy or a desire to see Jones removed from the radio industry. He told the court he was there to give truthful evidence.
“I’ve come here to tell the truth, I’m under oath,” Hadley said.
Hadley’s conversation with Complainant C
Hadley’s evidence relates in part to a conversation he had with Complainant C in October 2019.
The complainant had previously told the court that Jones allegedly kissed him and touched his crotch on multiple occasions. Hadley told the court on Tuesday that the man became visibly distressed when recounting what he alleged had happened. According to Hadley, he asked the complainant whether the physical contact had been consensual.
“[Complainant C] broke down and cried. He said, ‘No I hated it. I’m not homosexual’,” Hadley told the court.
He said the complainant had expressed guilt about what had allegedly occurred.
“[Complainant C said] he felt a sense of guilt that he allowed it to happen and he wished he’d done something about it.”
Hadley said he offered to help the man take the matter to police or management, but the complainant did not want to proceed.
“[Complainant C said] ‘It would ruin me, it would ruin my career … he’s too powerful’,” Hadley said.
Jones, now 85, has denied all allegations against him. The trial is continuing in the NSW Local Court, with Hadley due to return to the witness box as cross-examination continues.