Journalist quizzed over 'nail in the coffin' remark at Jones trial

The journalist who broke stories alleging Alan Jones had indecently assaulted several men told the mother of one complainant that police involvement in her son's matter would be "the nail in the coffin" and she hoped "shit does hit the fan" for the radio host.

Sydney Morning Herald chief investigative reporter Kate McClymont has been questioned about her stories on former 2GB host Alan Jones, who has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of indecent assault and sexual touching in the NSW Local Court.

Ms McClymont has been cross-examined for a second day, and has been asked about text messages she sent to the mother of one young man, Complainant A, who alleged he was 17 when Mr Jones kissed him without his consent.

The Downing Centre Local Court trial heard Ms McClymont had already published her first story with allegations about Mr Jones when she came into contact with Complainant A's mother, who told the journalist that her son had made a statement to police in 2018, but asked that it was not investigated further at that time.

In a snippet of a recorded phone call between Ms McClymont and the complainant's mother, Ms McClymont can be heard saying, "this would be an absolute nail in the coffin if the police were involved".

"That's just brilliant, oh I am breathless," she tells the mother.

Questioned about the intent of that comment, Ms McClymont said she did not mean "killing Mr Jones".

"On the Friday, the police had said we have received no complaints about Alan Jones and we have not looked at him," she told the court.

"The fact that someone has come forward and said we went to police and made a statement… as far as the story goes this is a significant event.

"It doesn't mean killing Mr Jones.

"It is the nail in the coffin for the story."

Defence presses 'media conspiracy'

In March 2024, Ms McClymont texted the mother again, to let her know police were looking into other allegations against Mr Jones.

"All I want to say is Alan Jones is the subject of a police investigation!!!!" Ms McClymont texted the woman.

The court heard a later text said, "I hope the shit does hit the fan for him!" and finished with a smiley face and two 'poo' emojis.

The defence has suggested previously that Ms McClymont did not like Mr Jones and was part of a media conspiracy along with broadcaster Ray Hadley and author Peter FitzSimons to bring down the former radio host, by unearthing false allegations against him.

The court also heard Ms McClymont was tipped off by a NSW Police media unit officer, on her private phone, about Mr Jones arrest in November 2024.

Asked if the purpose of that was so that journalists and photographers could be there to capture the moment, Ms McClymont said that it was.

The journalist said she declined to provide transcripts or recordings of her private conversations with confidential sources to police, because her sources had not given her clearance to do so.

She did end up providing the interviews under court subpoena, the court heard.