Ray Hadley Settles Defamation Case

Ray Hadley looks to have clocked up a nice legal bill after settling defamation action by NSW Minister, Ray Williams.

Sydney Morning Herald reports that Hadley was On-Air in July 2012 and said the MP had known about and covered up a scandal involving allegations of embezzled funds at the Hills Shire as far back as 2008.

Ray Williams promptly sued Ray Hadley and it was set to head to the supreme court.

Before the trial began and Jury members were to be selected, Ray was On-Air again and said:  he looked "forward to any Supreme Court acting involving Mr Williams or any other politician in NSW. It might be the only time in history that a so-called shock jock's credibility is running higher than a politician's credibility".

According the SMH, that prompted: Tom Blackburn, SC, to file a contempt of court motion, given that the spray had occurred as a jury was about to be empanelled.

The defamation trial in the Supreme Court was to begin last Monday, but at the last minute both parties sought an adjournment and a settlement was reached.

Ray Hadley then read On-Air a retraction on Wednesday, with Ray Williams telling the Sydney Morning Herald:

That the terms of the settlement were confidential, but added: "It's been a long drawn-out process for me and my family. But we are pleased to advise that we are completely satisfied with the outcome."