Child abuse police arrest Australian broadcaster Alan Jones

SYDNEY: Former Australian rugby coach and star broadcaster Alan Jones was arrested on Monday (November 18) for alleged “sexual touching offences”, police said.

Detectives from the special child exploitation squad arrested Jones while serving a search warrant at his luxury flat in Sydney Harbour.

New South Wales Police said the 83-year-old was charged with “offenses of indecent assault and sexual touching” between 2001 and 2019.

Jones is a household name across Australia and has made a huge impact on public opinion for years through his conservative talk show.

He strongly denied the assault allegations, which emerged in the Sydney Morning Herald late last year.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb told reporters on Monday she was “expecting other people to come forward”.

“It’s very complex and takes a long time, and I know these officers worked tirelessly to carry out today’s operation,” he said.

He did not give further details about the case but urged victims of historic abuse to come forward.

“There is no subject too old to be investigated,” he said. “We will take your problem seriously.”

Jones, who repeatedly tried and failed to win elected office, left the Sydney radio show in 2020.

In 1984 he coached Australia’s national rugby team, the Wallabies, to a historic “grand slam” tour with victories over England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland.