Live: Ray Hadley faces cross-examination in radio 'rival' Alan Jones's trial

Retired 2GB radio host Ray Hadley has begin facing cross-examination at Alan Jones's indecent assault and sexual touching trial.Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones has pleaded not guilty to 22 charges related to the alleged offending, with the trial in the NSW Local Court now in its fourth week.Live updates, reactions and contributions from ABC readers.Wed 2 Sep 2026 at 11:33amWed 2 Sep 2026 at 11:33amStaff told to 'dig up dirt on Hadley', trial hearsMr Hadley said a 2GB colleague, who he described as a "double agent" told him Mr Jones requested that his staff "dig up dirt on Hadley".Defence barrister Gabrielle Bashir SC asked Mr Hadley whether he recalled being accused of assaulting a colleague in the 2GB corridors, which Mr Hadley said CCTV proved never took place."Fortunately, there was CCTV in corridors and I didn’t come close [to that person]," he said.Mr Hadley told the court he later asked management whether the person who made the accusation would be "disciplined" for making a false complaint.Mr Hadley said he was informed of the accusation by a colleague, who he said was working as a "double agent" for Mr Jones.The court has previously heard a former colleague of Mr Jones, known as Complainant C, has accused the now-85-year-old of kissing him in a work lift on multiple occasions in 2008.Complainant C also alleges Mr Jones touched his crotch on a number of occasions.Mr Jones has been taking notes while Mr Hadley gives evidence. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)The trial was previously told Complainant C confided in Mr Hadley in October 2019.Mr Jones could be seen staring down Mr Hadley as he returned to the witness box for cross-examination for a second day following a brief legal argument on Wednesday.Mr Hadley accepted a suggestion by defence barrister Gabrielle Bashir SC that he had a "close relationship" with Complainant C before the alleged victim came in regular contact with Mr Jones.Mr Hadley on Tuesday told the trial he consoled Complainant C when he "broke down" while discussing Mr Jones's alleged offending.The former 2GB star first met Mr Jones in the early 1980s, with the trial on Tuesday hearing evidence about an alleged plot for Mr Hadley to take over his counterpart's coveted breakfast slot in 2019.Mr Hadley's evidence was cut short on Tuesday afternoon to allow legal arguments to be resolved.Mr Hadley on Tuesday said he asked Complainant C if he had consented to the kissing and touching."[Complainant C] broke down and cried. He said, 'No I hated it. I'm not homosexual'," he said."[Complainant C said] he felt a sense of guilt that he allowed it to happen and he wished he'd done something about it."Mr Hadley says Complainant C became emotional during the conversation about Mr Jones. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)Mr Hadley said the man swore him to secrecy, and rejected offers to report the allegations to police, Mr Jones's management or the chair of the radio station."[Complainant C said] 'It would ruin me, it would ruin my career … he's too powerful'," he said.Mr Hadley said the matter was not raised again by either of the men.The court heard Complainant C later decided to share his allegations with Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) reporter Kate McClymont, who published an article about the claims in December 2023.Mr Hadley said he acknowledged the reporting in a pre-recorded radio broadcast, and made a statement to police in June 2024.The trial continues.