Alan Jones, the former radio broadcaster known for his controversial views, has formally denied a new charge of assault with indecency, bringing the total number of allegations against him to 35. These charges, most of which relate to incidents occurring between 2001 and 2019, primarily involve accusations of sexual touching of multiple individuals.
In a court appearance, Jones’ lawyer, Bryan Wrench, indicated concerns regarding what he termed a “crusade” against Jones and highlighted the involvement of journalist Kate McClymont, a witness in the case. Wrench pointed out that she had recently published an article about the case, possibly undermining the fairness of the proceedings. He raised questions about the rapid dissemination of information regarding the latest charge, suggesting that details were released to the media before police had even interviewed Jones.
The police investigation into Jones was initiated in March 2024, following several allegations brought to light by McClymont in late 2023. During the court session, Magistrate Daniel Covington acknowledged the early stage of the case but did not address Wrench’s comments immediately. Jones, who is set to appear in court again in May, remains on bail and did not attend this most recent hearing.
With the ongoing investigation led by child abuse detectives—given that one complainant was reportedly only 17 at the time of the alleged incident—Jones faces multiple charges connected to 11 individuals. Of these, several allegations involve sexual assault and unwanted touching, with some counts exacerbated by claims of the former broadcaster being in a position of authority over the victims.
Throughout his career, Jones has been a significant figure in Australian media, starting his influential role in 1985 after a brief political stint. He became well-known for his confrontational interviewing style and divided public opinion with his strong conservative views. He worked with different radio stations, most notably 2GB, until his retirement in 2020. Before his media career, Jones also gained notoriety as the coach of the Australian national rugby team from 1984 to 1988, contributing to several historic victories.
As the investigation continues, Jones maintains his innocence, asserting that the allegations are either unfounded or misrepresent the truth. The case has garnered substantial media attention, raising questions about fair trial rights and the impact of public scrutiny on legal proceedings.