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.
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McClymont says she sought further comment from Jones and his legal team before the publication of several other stories, which outlined allegations made by a number of complainants in the current proceedings.
She did not send Jones draft copies of the articles prior to publication, the court heard.
She remembers an occasion when she received a reply directly from Jones via text.
The reporter said she provided all correspondence with Jones and his legal team to the police in a statement she made on August 30, 2024.
We’ve got straight into it this morning, with McClymont answering questions about an article outlining allegations of abuse against Jones in December 2023.
The reporter confirms she sought comment from Jones by text and email two days before the first story was published in the Sydney Morning Herald.
McClymont says she did not receive a response from Jones, but she thought she did get a response from his lawyers.
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 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 Jones's alleged conduct.
She will then be cross-examined by Jones's defence team, who have accused her, among others, of being part of a media conspiracy to bring down their client.
This case is being heard in the local court in a judge-only trial.
The court has previously heard in relation to McClymont :
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.
