Sydney Morning Herald chief investigative reporter Kate McClymont told a Sydney court her “nail in the coffin” remark concerned a story about Alan Jones, as her messages to a complainant’s mother came under scrutiny.
The Guardian reported that McClymont said she probably sent the mother a message reading, “I hope the shit does hit the fan for him.” ABC News reported that the message included a smiley face followed by two poo emojis.
The mother had told McClymont that her son spoke to police in the year of the alleged assault, The Guardian reported. McClymont said police had told her they had received no complaints about Jones and had not looked at him.
The court also heard about a recorded call in which McClymont called information about police involvement “an absolute nail in the coffin.” She told the court, “It doesn’t mean killing Mr Jones. It is the nail in the coffin for the story,” according to The Guardian.
The Guardian reported that McClymont also acknowledged texting a police media contact “Can hardly wait!” about Jones’ arrest and writing “beauty” after the contact confirmed it. The testimony follows earlier evidence from the complainant’s mother about her continued reliance on Jones, covered in EconoTimes’ earlier account of the trial.
Jones has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of sexual touching and indecent assault. Five men allege that incidents occurred between 2003 and 2020. The Guardian reported McClymont is due back in court Thursday, Nov. 5.
