Live: Journalist Kate McClymont gives evidence in Alan Jones case
The investigative journalist whose stories kicked off a police investigation into broadcaster Alan Jones has been called to give evidence in his criminal trial.
Mr Jones has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of indecent assault and sexual touching relating to five men, many of whom spoke to Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) journalist Kate McClymont before they made a police complaint.
The reporter published a series of stories from late 2023 that contained accounts from a number of men who alleged Mr Jones indecently assaulted them.
Some of her interviewees are not complainants in this trial. Follow live coverage.
Pinned
Sexual assault support services:
By Luke Royes
By Luke Royes
Filter Posts
All
5
Key Events
2
Proceedings underway
By Phoebe Pin
By Phoebe Pin
We’ve got straight into it this morning, with Ms McClymont answering questions about an article outlining allegations of abuse against Mr Jones in December 2023.
The reporter confirms she sought comment from Mr Jones by text and email two days before the first story was published in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Ms McClymont says she did not receive a response from Mr Jones, but she thought she get a response from his lawyers.
Key Event
McClymont arrives at court
By Isobel Roe
By Isobel Roe
Kate McClymont arrived at court to a large media pack.
Asked how she was feeling about today's evidence, the journalist responded, "fine."
Word appears to have got around that Ms McClymont was due to give evidence, because the courtroom has once again attracted members of the public, as well as a larger contingent of media.
She will face questions from the Crown first, about her involvement in reporting on Mr Jones's alleged conduct.
She will then be cross-examined by Mr Jones's defence team, who has accused her, among others, of being part of a media conspiracy to bring down their client.
Key Event
What has the court heard so far?
By Millie Roberts
By Millie Roberts
This case is being heard in the local court in a judge-only trial.
The court has previously heard in relation to McClymont:
- Complainant C agreed to meet her in 2023 after she contacted him about his experiences with Mr Jones
- The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) published an article about Mr Jones in December 2023 detailing allegations against him
- McClymont also spoke to or contacted 2GB employees and an ex-politician during research into the story
- Author and journo Peter FitzSimons said he spoke to Complainant C about his experience with Mr Jones. FitzSimons said he passed his notes from the call onto McClymont
- Complainant H reached out to McClymont after her coverage. His allegations were published in May 2024 in the SMH
McClymont to give evidence soon
By Millie Roberts
By Millie Roberts
Welcome to live coverage of investigative journalist Kate McClymont's evidence in court today.
The author and award-winning reporter is giving evidence about her coverage of allegations against the defendant in the Sydney Morning Herald.
KioskNews shows a cleaned-up reading view extracted from the publisher’s page — the original always lives on their site, not ours.