Harrowing audio has emerged of the moment 2GB host Ben Fordham learnt live on air that his one-time radio mentor Alan Jones had been arrested in connection with a string of shocking allegations.
Jones, 83, was arrested on Monday morning at his Circular Quay apartment and was taken to Sydneys Day Street Police Station for questioning over allegations he indecently assaulted, groped or inappropriately touched multiple young men.
Fordham, who began his media career as a 15-year-old work experience student with Jones, learnt of his arrest while he was live on air on Monday morning, at the helm of the breakfast timeslot Jones filled just four years ago.
We have some major breaking news right now, and to break this news, I want to bring in the senior reporter from the Nine Network, Simon Bouda, Fordham said, about 7.45am.
He has just informed us there has been some significant news that is just breaking right now.
Bouda told Fordham and his listeners that Jones was in police custody.
Alan Jones, one of Australias most well-known radio and television broadcasters, has been arrested.
He is currently in the custody of detectives, I believe. This has followed an extensive investigation into allegations of sexual touching.
Veteran broadcaster and former Wallabies coach Alan Jones has been arrested at his apartment in Sydney. Above, hes seen being driven to a police station on Monday
He is now being taken to a police station in the inner city of Sydney where he is going to be interviewed. I expect charges will be laid in the next few hours.
Fordham shared that a former staff member of the station was one of the men who had made allegations against Jones.
This is a story that is obviously close to home for us at 2GB, because as I said at the time when these allegations were first printed in the Sydney Morning Herald, they involve people who used to work at this radio station.
One of them being Alan Jones, and another one being one of the alleged victims, Fordham said.
Nine newspapers first reported allegations against Jones almost a year ago, including claims Jones repeatedly indecently assaulted a 2GB employee.
The man said at the age of 20, he was hired to do menial jobs, including driving the Jones from the stations Pyrmont studios to his apartment in the Circular Quay building, dubbed The Toaster.
The allegations relate almost exclusively to his time at 2GB, but predate its current ownership by Nine Radio.
Jones has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, and his lawyers have described the allegations against him as demonstrably false and defamatory.
Ben Fordham is pictured with Alan Jones before he took over his 2GB breakfast timeslot
Bryan Wrench, one of Australias most prominent defence lawyers, was spotted at Joness apartment after news broke of the arrest.
Breaking his silence in a five-minute clip in March, Jones said he refuted the allegations against him entirely and the inferences associated with them.
Jones said he had every intention of returning to broadcasting eventually, but sources close to the broadcaster said he had no intention of returning to the spotlight in the immediate future and remained on indefinite leave.
He claimed medical ailments had kept him from appearing on right-wing online video producer ADH TV, which distributes its materials to video-sharing and social media platforms.
The get-Jones campaign is nothing new in my life, Jones said in the video.
I am not going to dwell, here, on the allegations made about me other than to say that I refute them entirely and the inferences associated with them.
Daily Mail Australia reported earlier this month that NSW Police were quietly probing claims Jones abused his powerful position as Sydneys reigning talkback radio king.
Sources familiar with the investigation said detectives had spoken with a number of alleged victims.
The Sydney Morning Herald has also canvassed allegations going back almost 60 years to when Jones began his working life, which included stints as a Prime Ministerial speech writer and Wallabies rugby union coach.
Jones made a rare public appearance in July when was a guest speaker at a dinner to celebrate Matt Canavans 10th anniversary in the Senate at The Paddock restaurant in the coastal town of Yeppoon, just outside Rockhampton, in Queensland.
He appeared in good spirits as he smiled while posing for photographs with other attendees, including Liberal National Party representatives Donna Kirkland and Glen Kelly and former Labor Party powerbroker Graham Richardson.