Blue Mountains City Council sues Ray Hadley

Ray Hadley is at the centre of another legal case, with the Blue Mountains City Council suing the 2GB broadcaster.

Blue Mountains Gazette reports that the council has commenced legal proceedings over allegedly defamatory comments made by Hadley.

On his 2GB Mornings program on May 16, Hadley is said to have criticised the council’s appointments of staff to look into asbestos mismanagement in the local area.

Hadley alleged there was a conflict of interest and impropriety over the appointment of two investigators – one to examine asbestos issues and the other to canvas allegations over the appointment of Mark Mulligan as a safety consultant at the council.

The legal proceedings follow a recent public inquiry that cleared the council of any wrongdoing.

“Having failed to assist the Inquiry, and now being unwilling to accept the umpire’s finding, Mr Hadley, in his 16 May broadcasts, has – as seems to be his wont – used the bully pulpit of his radio station to attack the council and its personnel instead,” said the council in a statement.

Hadley told his listeners on May 16 that the council’s new general manager Rosemary Dillon had “misled the Commissioner”.

“He claims to have ‘proof’ of his allegations,” said a spokeswoman for the council. “He claims that he has whistle-blowers.

“He, like everyone else, had the opportunity to assist the inquiry by providing information. If he had a genuine commitment to the public interest, he would have done so. But he chose not to do so.

“The position Mr Hadley occupies as a radio broadcaster is one of great privilege and responsibility. He has not acted in accordance with that privilege and responsibility, even when a Public Inquiry, acting on evidence, has exposed his many false and unfounded allegations.