Macquarie Media begins inquiry into new Hadley bullying claims

Macquarie Media has begun an inquiry into fresh allegations of bullying against 2GB Mornings host Ray Hadley.

As SMH reports, the network is investigating brand new claims that surfaced in recent days, relating in an incident in 2016.

The 2GB employee, who is currently on leave, has reportedly made levelled multiple allegations against Hadley.

The new accusations reportedly involve Hadley’s abusive and derogatory language and are the latest in a growing timeline of Hadley controversies.

Radio Today reached out to Macquarie Media CEO Adam Lang to confirm the claims, and to see if the network planned to suspend the shock jock until an investigation had taken place.

“Regarding your query about a report that there is a new complaint about Mr Hadley, all claims and complaints received are handled by way of a confidential process between the person complaining, the person being investigated and the company,” Lang shot back in an email.

“Out of fairness and sensitivity to those involved, it is not something that is disclosed outside those personnel.”

The recent push to bring Hadley to justice was set in motion by Chris Bowen’s decision to go public, who claims he was on the receiving end of “16 years of intense bullying”.

Hadley responded on air, saying “I’m sorry for any hurt I’ve caused him. I’d like to think as part of his recovery we could catch up into the future and talk about all the good times we had.”

The ABC then aired an explosive 7.30 Report featuring several former employees of Macquarie Media, who went on-the-record and on-camera with claims of workplace bullying and intimidation by Hadley.

Those included former rugby league commentator Andrew Moore, who was reduced to tears in his interview. “He thrives on intimidation, has done him ever since I have known him as a kid,” he said.

Within ten minutes of the broadcast #RadHadley was trending on Twitter, with Australian’s quick to join the conversation – including victims, journalists and media personalities.

Such claims aren’t the first to be levelled at the 2GB host, whose controversial behaviour has kept him in the public eye for years.

Hadley reached an out-of-court settlement in 2013 with producer Richard Palmer.

Despite never admitting the claims of bullying against Palmer were true, Hadley declared at the time that he was a changed man.

He reiterated this stance after Bowen’s allegations surfaced, saying “I gave my word in 2013 to my fellow staff members, the sort of culture I grew up in would no longer be the standard.”

But given the latest accusations relate to an incident in 2016, any attempt for Hadley to sweep this into the ‘old me’ basket won’t fly.