Broadcaster Ray Hadley has told a Sydney court he used a homophobic slur and derogatory language when discussing his colleague after 2GB withdrew a confidential offer of a $4 million contract to take over Jones's breakfast radio slot.
Hadley agreed under cross-examination by defence barrister Gabrielle Bashir SC that he told police in 2019 that Jones had recruited colleagues at 2GB to
dig up some dirton him. Jones is on trial on 22 indecent assault charges and two counts of sexual touching involving six men. The 85-year-old has pleaded not guilty to all allegations.
On his second day of testimony at Downing Centre Local Court, Hadley stated that a colleague informed him Jones had
marshalled the troops and said 'Dig up some dirt on Hadley'. In 2019, after being accused of an unrelated assault against a colleague, Hadley walked into Jones's office and called the breakfast host
a cunt and a dog, according to a police statement from that time presented in court. The assault allegation against Hadley was subsequently dropped when 2GB CCTV footage showed nothing had occurred, Hadley told the court.
Hadley acknowledged that he harboured
an animosity towards [Jones] at that time. He stated he frequently referred to Jones as
a gruband that in a text exchange shown to him by Bashir, he had called Jones
a faggot.
The defence has previously argued that media rivalries, including Hadley's involvement, fuelled efforts to
destroyJones and
tear him apart, according to Bashir's submissions. According to court reporting, the defence has argued that such rivalries helped fuel the case against Jones.
Bashir suggested to Hadley on Wednesday that he was struggling after his confidential contract to replace Jones was terminated and Jones was re-signed in May 2019 for two additional years.
Not at all, I maintained the same job I'd done for the previous 17 years and inadvertently Mr Jones had doubled my salary, Hadley replied.
Hadley disagreed that obtaining the breakfast radio slot represented the pinnacle of his career, instead insisting that
going from $2 to $4mwhile continuing on the Ray Hadley Morning Show was the pinnacle. He told the court that management approached him in late 2018, stating they had grown tired of Jones and his then-pending defamation cases, and offered him the position.
I didn't want to get out of bed at 1.30am, but the money made me do it, Hadley said.
Bashir challenged Hadley over a later text message to Jones, who was experiencing health difficulties, suggesting it was insincere. The message read:
I love you.
What additional evidence has emerged?
According to recent trial reporting, Hadley stated that one of Jones's alleged victims told him Jones had kissed and touched him
a number of times. The trial entered its fourth week on 2 September 2026, with Hadley continuing to give evidence in cross-examination. Judge Glenn Walsh adjourned proceedings for a midday break before resuming at 2pm.
How long is the trial expected to last?
The trial is expected to hear from 76 witnesses over a four-month period, according to court scheduling information. The proceedings are taking place in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court under the direction of Judge Glenn Walsh.
What happens next in the trial?
The trial was scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday, 2 September 2026, at 10 a.m., with Judge Glenn Walsh continuing to hear evidence in the Local Court proceeding. The trial is expected to continue hearing testimony from multiple witnesses as it progresses through the four-month schedule.
Key Facts:
- Jones faces 22 indecent assault charges and two counts of sexual touching involving six complainants
- Hadley acknowledged using homophobic language and derogatory terms when discussing Jones in 2019
- The confidential $4 million contract offer to Hadley to replace Jones was withdrawn, with Jones subsequently re-signed for two additional years in May 2019
- The trial is expected to hear from 76 witnesses over four months at Downing Centre Local Court
- Jones has pleaded not guilty to all charges
