Breakfast radio presenter Ben Fordham has criticized NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, accusing her of trying to get media bosses to stop criticizing her after she canceled an interview on his Radio 2GB show.
Ms Webb has been the center of public attention for a series of alleged blunders over her handling of the alleged murder charges against NSW police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon and the Tasering of great-grandmother Clare Nowland.
“Police morale is declining and the commissioner is in hiding,” Fordham said on his Monday morning show, amid a storm over her hiring of a new PR chief, Channel Seven Spotlight producer Steve Jackson.
Fordham claimed Ms Webb had approached media executives asking for “favorable reporting” amid a long string of negative headlines.
“The NSW Police Commissioner has approached media bosses at Nine Radio and NewsCorp. I know this because one of the conversations was about me,” Fordham said.
Breakfast radio host Ben Fordham has blasted NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb after she canceled a planned interview on his show.
Fordham was referring to the death of 95-year-old Clare Nowland, who was allegedly tasered by Senior Constable Kristian White at a retirement home in Cooma in May 2023.
“When I asked questions about the lack of transparency about the Taser incident, the commissioner complained to my boss,” Fordham said.
‘It was clear to me what was going on, Karen Webb wanted me to slow down a bit.’
Ms Webb was due to appear on Fordham’s 2GB show on Monday to answer questions about the ‘crime wave’ in regional NSW.
She was reportedly busy every day last week, but had a live interview to start the week.
“But the commissioner isn’t coming to our show this morning, she called me on Friday to explain this,” Fordham said.
Ben Fordham claimed Ms Webb canceled the interview after asking Prime Minister Chris Minns a ‘cheeky’ question about whether he had received her ‘resignation letter’
He said she was unhappy with a “cheeky” question he asked Prime Minister Chris Minns earlier that day, inquiring whether he had received her “resignation letter”.
“It’s nonsense and another example of the commissioner taking things personally instead of looking for the lesson,” he said.
The month of investigation began after police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon was charged with the double murder of Sydney couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies.
Police allege he used a service weapon to kill the couple, raising concerns about the force’s weapons handling protocols and leadership.
Ms Webb was noticeably quiet in the days that followed Mr Lamarre-Condon’s indictment, and when she finally faced the cameras she was criticized for a series of embarrassing blunders, including referring to the incident as a “crime of passion and quoting Taylor Swift lyrics when asked if she should resign.
The police chief also faced criticism after firing an employee of her public affairs department in recent weeks.
NSW Police have been contacted for comment.