NSW: Coates takes on Jones in 'no-row' defamation case

AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2007
NSW: Coates takes on Jones in 'no-row' defamation case

SYDNEY, April 23 AAP - Sydney broadcaster Alan Jones is defending a defamation case
brought by Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates.

A jury had previously found Jones defamed Mr Coates with allegations of bullying and
a cover-up relating to the collapse of Olympic rower Sally Robbins.

Jones was found to have defamed Mr Coates during three broadcasts on radio station
2GB in December 2004, while commenting on the women's eight rowing final at that year's
Athens Olympics.

Jones said leadership had been "sadly lacking" over the incident in which Robbins,
an Australian crew member, stopped rowing before the finish line.

Mr Coates sued Jones and his employer, Harbour Radio, for defamation in the NSW Supreme Court.

In 2005, a jury found Mr Coates had been defamed by imputations that he practised a
cover-up and had bullied the rowers into saying what he wanted them to say at a press
conference following the "no-row" affair.

Mr Coates was also defamed by suggestions that he had handled the matter incompetently,
the jury found.

A hearing began today before Justice Michael Adams, who will determine whether Mr Coates
should be paid compensation.

Jones and Harbour Radio are defending the matter on the grounds of comment and substantial truth.

But Bruce McClintock SC, for Mr Coates, told the court the "exceptionally serious"

allegations were made on "an utterly non-existent basis".

"There seems to be some suggestion that Mr Coates knew there had been previous incidents
where Sally Robbins had not performed to her full capacity and should have done something
about it," Mr McClintock said.

"He didn't know.

"It's a bit hard to cover up something you don't know."

Mr McClintock also denied that Mr Coates had bullied the female rowers, saying: "There
was no bullying."

The hearing continues.

AAP ka/was/sp

KEYWORD: COATES (PIX AVAILABLE)

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.