Sydney shock-jock Ray Hadley has slammed former Liberal Prime Ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard, who both provided support for George Pell.
Labelling their positions as “gross errors of judgement,” Mr Hadley’s remarks come as Mr Abbott revealed to 2GB radio that he had put in a phone call to the Cardinal, who remained a friend.
It was also exposed in court on Wednesday that Mr. Howard provided a character reference for Mr Pell.
George Pell (left) with former Prime Minister John Howard in a photo from 2004. Source: AAP
Mr Pell was found guilty of historical child sexual offences, convicted of sexually abusing two boys in the 1990s.
Speaking on radio, Mr Hadley said Mr Howard went “way over the top” in providing a character reference for George Pell.
“There’s no mention of any victim’s in Mr Howard’s reference and I think that doesn’t bring any great credit to the former prime minister,” Mr Hadley told his 2GB audience.
Ex-Prime Minister's John Howard and Tony Abbott. Source: AAP
In Mr Hadley’s opinion, the former prime minister’s failed to understand the gravity of Pell’s case.
“Paedophiles con their families, their friends and their colleagues," Mr Hadley said.
“Mr Howard and Mr Abbott, in my opinion have shown a complete lack of understanding of victims of paedophiles. Not just in the case we're talking about now, but generally."
Forecasting that Mr Abbott may lose his Sydney seat of Warringah due to his actions, Mr Hadley said he thinks it “would have been more prudent for justice to take its course before a public exhibition of their support for a now convicted paedophile.”
"I'm trying to understand the call by Mr Abbott but I really am struggling to get a grip on it…His electorate would be looking at all this at the moment and scratching their heads.”
