Ray Hadley slams cruel trolls as he returns to air after son’s drug arrest

Radio host Ray Hadley has slammed social media trolls who have mocked him following the news that his police officer son was arrested for possession of cocaine.

Hadley returned to his popular morning program on 2GB for the first time after his son Daniel, 28, was arrested while off duty outside a pub in Sydney on Friday. The 2GB radio presenter thanked listeners, colleagues and police for their ongoing support before ripping into social media trolls.

“To the few haters and trolls on social media, you’re being treated with the contempt you deserve,” he said today. 

He also revealed he had rejected an offer to take time off from work, and added: “My employers gave me the chance to have a week off but I have never hidden from my own shortcomings – of which there are many.

“I am here today to do what I do best, to get on with it and lead by example for my son and my family.”

Read more: Emotional Ray Hadley breaks down over son’s drug arrest

It comes after Hadley spoke about the arrest at a press conference on Saturday.

“When I was first told, I was both angry and perplexed,” he began. “I had no idea my son, a respected police officer, would be involved in such a matter.”

The radio host explained he brought his 28-year-old son home, where his initial anger turned to shock and sadness. He said his son has been suffering from ongoing mental health issues.

Read more: Ray Hadley ‘devastated’ after cop son arrested for drug possession

“My son, during long conversations during late in the night, early in the morning, revealed he’s been battling mental health issues for quite some time,” the 63-year-old said. “He’s also been away from work for months, having dislocated his knee and waiting for an operation on a hernia.”

He revealed his son had been seeing the family GP about his mental health issues. The problems had been so severe that Daniel had been admitted to a clinic on Saturday for treatment, with Hadley describing it as a “serious problem”.

Hadley said he would be making no further public comments on the matter. He said it would be a long and slow process for Daniel, that he loved him dearly and that he wished he’d come to him for help sooner.

On Saturday, news broke that Hadley’s police officer son had been caught with the illegal substance at the Australian Hotel and Brewery, in the Rouse Hill area of Sydney. Hadley didn’t front his radio show on Saturday, with replacement host Hark Levy apologising on his behalf and sighting “family matters”.

If you’re depressed or need someone to talk to, there are many 24/7 support lines available, including Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, MensLineAustralia on 1300 789 978 and Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

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