Alan Jones’ ex-colleague questions ‘loyalty’ promise

At the trial of veteran broadcaster Alan Jones, a former colleague promised him “loyalty” and that he would “refute any lies” made by the “left” after media reports of Mr Jones’ alleged wrongdoing emerged.

Mr Jones’ former 2GB colleague is giving evidence in a NSW local court over allegations that Mr Jones repeatedly kissed and groped a younger male colleague at work and in the lift of his Circular Quay apartment in 2008.

Other witnesses told the court that the former employee was at Christmas lunch in 2008, saw Mr Jones put his hand on the complainant’s lap under the table and then later joked about how he had “dealt with the feeling”.

Mr Jones is charged with indecently assaulting complainant C during lunch, one of 22 charges to which he has pleaded not guilty.

But the witness, who the ABC has not named to protect the complainant’s identity, was accused by the Crown of giving evidence to “help” Mr Jones after he denied any recollection of being present at the dinner.

SMS messages released in court

Under cross-examination by the Crown, the witness was shown text messages he sent to Jones in 2023 when Sydney Morning Herald journalist Kate McClymont contacted him about reports of a 2GB employee groping another employee.

The witness agreed he forwarded Ms McClymont’s request to Mr Jones and told him: “If you need me to refute any lies, of course I will.”

During the exchange of text messages, the court heard the witness called Ms McClymont an “asshole”, a “low breed” and “pure evil”.

Mr Jones replied: “I’m sick of it all. [Ray] Hadley was an inspiration.”

The witness agreed, although he initially had no intention of returning Ms McClymont’s request, he then spoke to Mr Jones, who he recalled wanted him to speak to the journalist and tell her “the truth”.

Crown prosecutor Georgina Wright told the witness he tried to ingratiate himself with the accused by sending abusive messages about Ms McClymont.

“No, that’s exactly how I felt about her.”

The witness said that fidelity was important in all his friendships.

Witness accused of ‘helping’ Jones

When Ms McClymont’s first story about Mr Jones was published in 2023, a witness messaged Mr Jones to say the allegations against the broadcaster had been made by “sick people” and that “everyone who loves you is right behind you”.

When asked who he referred to as “sick,” the witness told the court he meant “the leftists who hate Mr. Jones… a whole line of them.”

When repeatedly questioned about what he saw at the staff luncheon, the witness denied any recollection of the event or ever seeing Mr. Jones behave inappropriately toward any employee.

While another dinner guest said this witness actually saw the alleged attack, witness Jason Morrison also told the court he did not see it.

He also denied ever hearing any jokes about Mr Jones showing romantic attention to a younger colleague, or joked about the complainant “holding back his feelings”.

“I suggest you stick to… not remembering anything at all to help the accused in this process, am I?” asked Miss Wright.

“Your lack of memories is not sincere, is it?”

“It’s real. It was 18 years ago,” the witness replied.

“Loyalty and Love”

The witness was later questioned about a series of messages he sent to Mr Jones between 2022 and 2023, including one in which he said: “The biggest influence, brilliant mind and love in my life has always been you AJ xxx” and “You are the one who gave me purpose.”

The court heard he also sent other messages to Mr Jones, including one that said: “Loyalty and love go back over 20 years… you will always get that from me” and “my happiest times have been with you.”

“The admiration is absolutely there,” the witness said.

“You sent these messages because you have a special loyalty to Mr. Jones, don’t you?” asked Miss Wright.

“I have a special loyalty to everyone who is close to me,” the witness responded.

Ms Wright accused the witness of “significantly” downplaying his admiration for Mr Jones in his initial statement to police.

The witness said police did not question him in detail about his “admiration” for Mr Jones during the interview.

The trial continues.