Royal prankster ‘gagged’ after nurse tragedy, court told

4 hours ago 3

An ex-radio host at the centre of an infamous royal prank call that ended in tragedy has claimed his former employer sought to gag him from speaking out about the incident before sacking him in a redundancy process that was “not genuine.”

Michael Christian launched Federal Court proceedings last week against Southern Cross Austereo, including for alleged contraventions of the Fair Work Act and whistleblower protections, after his role was made redundant in February. He had been employed by the network for more than 20 years.

Mel Greig and Michael Christian were at the centre of 2Day FM’s now-infamous royal prank call.

Christian alleges he was directed by Austereo to participate in the disastrous hoax with his co-host, Mel Greig, on December 4, 2012, which marked his second day in his then new role as a presenter of the Hot 30 Countdown on Sydney’s 2Day FM.

During the stunt, the presenters impersonated the then Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth in a call to a London hospital where the then Duchess of Cambridge, now the Princess of Wales, had been admitted for severe morning sickness.

The call, aired hours later, unexpectedly resulted in the pair eliciting private medical information about the Duchess. The deception triggered international outrage after Jacintha Saldanha, one of the nurses who was tricked, died by suicide.

The presenters’ concerns about the prank and broadcasting the call were dismissed, Christian’s lawyers say.

A candelight vigil for Jacintha Saldanha at her former home in India.

They allege the network “did not immediately take public accountability” after Saldanha’s death but left the co-hosts “exposed to relentless public vitriol, harassment and abuse, including death threats” as “convenient fall guys and scapegoats”.

Christian’s role was terminated on February 28 this year on the grounds of a purported redundancy, his lawyers say in the court documents released on Wednesday.

“Mr Christian claims that the redundancy was not genuine, particularly in circumstances where SCA still requires Mr Christian’s former role to be performed,” the documents say.

His lawyers allege he was pressured to sign a deed of release when he was made redundant that would have had the effect of ensuring his ongoing silence about the incident.

‘[Christian] was facing widespread public backlash and abuse.’

Federal Court documents

They also allege that from early 2013 the network “represented to Mr Christian that, in exchange for his loyalty and silence … SCA would protect him and help to restore his reputation and rebuild his career” because they feared he “may otherwise disclose information” about the incident.

“As a then 26-year-old who was facing widespread public backlash and abuse, Mr Christian placed immense trust in SCA,” his lawyers say.

“In reliance on [that representation], Mr Christian decided to stay in his employment with SCA, he did not pursue any legal action against SCA … and he turned down opportunities to speak publicly about the incident and his version of events.”

Christian’s lawyers allege the network contravened whistleblower protections in the Corporations Act, including by “inducing [his] silence”. The former radio presenter “was, and remains, profoundly affected” by the incident, they say.

‘I understand why Michael is choosing to go down this path.’

Mel Greig, former 2Day FM announcer

Christian alleges that from the end of 2012 until his role was terminated he “consistently raised complaints and inquiries in relation to the incident and its continuing impact on his mental health, safety, reputation, and career progression”, and he was repeatedly assured the network would “ensure he had a successful career by rebuilding his personal and professional brand”.

His lawyers say Austereo failed to “provide any meaningful health support to Mr Christian,” nor “implement a public relations campaign or a marketing plan to help rebuild Mr Christian’s personal and professional brand”, nor “provide Mr Christian with any meaningful opportunities or material pay rises for his loyalty and performance.”

“Instead, over the past 13 years, SCA gradually marginalised Mr Christian within the business, blocked him from any high-profile hosting or presenting opportunities, and prevented Mr Christian from speaking publicly about the incident.”

Christian’s lawyers allege Austereo breached multiple provisions of the Fair Work Act, including by taking adverse action against him for exercising a workplace right by making a complaint, and that he has suffered physical and psychological injury as well as damage to his reputation.

He is seeking compensation and an order that the network pay him a pecuniary penalty.

On Tuesday, Greig posted on Instagram: “I understand why Michael is choosing to go down this path.

“Whilst there are various reasons we may never be able to speak our entire truth on all that occurred, I do hope that the continued attention on this tragic incident results in substantial reforms in the way media produce content and support their staff, so that something like this never happens again.

“My thoughts and support as always are with the Saldanha family.”

The network said in December 2013 that it had “amicably resolved” legal action brought against it by Greig, and that it greatly regretted “the unforeseeable tragic aftermath” of the hoax call, for which it took “complete responsibility”.

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