If Ray Hadley thought that the fallout from his February tirade against 2GB’s internet content manager, Richard Palmer, had gone away, he would have woken to a rude shock when, last Friday, a statement of claim was lodged in the District Court of NSW against him. It is understood that his lawyer has been served papers

According to a report by Jonathan Swan in the SMH, the claim alleges that Hadley deliberately inflicted psychological harm on Palmer. Fairfax media also reports that It is understood Hadley is facing allegations of “false imprisonment” because a colleague guarded the exit to Hadley’s office while the top rating morning presenter verbally abused Mr Palmer.

The original incident occurred on February 7, when Hadley berated Palmer (left) for supposedly not uploading content fast enough onto the station’s website. Apparently Palmer had the temerity to suggest that Hadley’s team should upload some web content themselves. Hadley disagreed and let rip at Palmer, according to radioinfo sources at 2GB who heard the altercation.

After Palmer made a formal complaint to the station’s managing director, Rob Loewenthal, an internal memo was sent to staff saying Hadley had been suspended for the rest of the week.

But Hadley, unhappy with the management decision, rang station owner John Singleton to get the decision reversed. The result was that Hadley was back on air as usual before the end of that week.

Later, a remorseful Hadley addressed a meeting of 2GB staff and apologised for any embarrassment he might have caused to them or their families. It is not known whether he also made a personal apology to Palmer.

The story went public after the internal tensions boiled over and the incident was leaked to the media. Insiders say that as tensions simmered, the station was divided between those who support the management process and those who support Hadley and Singleton.

According to the SMH report, Palmer has been working from home ever since.

Read Peter Saxon’s comment at the time of the incident.

Related coverage:

2GB staffer receives tongue lashing: Hadley apologises
http://www.radioinfo.com.au/node/29082

Hadley’s humble apology saves the day for 2GB

http://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/12044