A friend of Alan Jones who has denied witnessing an alleged assault in a Mosman restaurant has agreed in court that he sent the broadcaster a text message saying “if you need me to refute any lies, I of course will”.
Under cross-examination by prosecutor Georgina Wright, the witness agreed he was a loyal and “very good friend” to Jones and the two men shared an “unbreakable bond”. Wright said in the Downing Centre local court on Tuesday: “And you told the defendant if you need me to refute any lies, I of course, will?” “Yes,” the witness replied.
Witness denies recalling Mosman lunch
The witness has told the court he can’t recall being at the lower north shore restaurant at a lunch hosted by Jones in 2008. “I don’t recall ever having lunch in the Mosman area,” he said. “I have never seen Mr Jones do anything inappropriate. I have not ever, ever seen him do anything sexually inappropriate, ever.”
Jones has been charged with 20 indecent assault charges and two counts of sexual touching involving six men. The 85-year-old had pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutor challenges witness’s loyalty
The prosecutor, Wright, said on Tuesday: “And you’re more concerned with loyalty to Alan Jones than with answering the prosecution’s questions truthfully in this trial, aren’t you?” “I answered every question that you’ve asked truthfully,” the witness replied.
Earlier in the trial, another guest at the Mosman luncheon alleged a victim known as complainant C looked “distraught” while sitting next to Jones, who had his hand under the table. C has testified that Jones instructed him to sit next to him and spent the entire lunch with his left hand under the table either on his leg or on his penis over his pants.
Text messages reveal support and insults
The witness on Tuesday told the court he messaged Jones in late 2023 after journalist Kate McClymont’s article containing allegations against the former 2GB host was published in the Sydney Morning Herald. The text message said: “Everyone who loves you are right behind you, and we’re not going anywhere. These people are sick. The support you have is amazing and your loyal friends will always be there for you xx. We’re not going anywhere x.”
Asked by Wright who he was referring to as “sick”, the witness said: “People of the left that have always hated Mr Jones.” The witness agreed he had described McClymont as “cunt”, a “bitch” and “evil”. He also called her a “low breed” and admitted he had a very negative view of her investigative reporting.
Text messages read out in court showed the witness referred to allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Jones as a “witch hunt”. The witness agreed that he had told Jones that working with him for years on the breakfast program were the best years of his life. He told the court he was very proud because Jones was “one of the great broadcasters of history”.
The witness agreed he sent a text to Jones stating: “I still can’t believe I am close to the greatest broadcaster there’s ever been.” Wright added that the witness had called Jones in another message “the greatest influence”, a “brilliant mind” and had said the “love of my life has always been you.” “Yes,” the witness replied.
