In December 2020, Kate Middleton, then pregnant with Prince George, was at King Edward VII Hospital in London being treated for morning sickness. Two radio hosts, Michael Christian and Mel Greig, working for 2Day FM, part of Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), made a prank call to the hospital impersonating Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II. The hospital nurse, Jacintha Saldanha, believed the call was genuine and transferred it to Middleton's nurse.
Five days later, Saldanha died by suicide, leaving a note expressing shame at having been the target of the prank. The incident resulted in significant public backlash against the two radio hosts.
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The two radio hosts in an interview discussing the prank call. Photo: Today Tonight |
The two radio hosts in an interview discussing the prank call. Photo: Today Tonight
Thirteen years after the incident, on 8/7, Christian filed a lawsuit against SCA in federal court. He alleges that the company failed to support its staff in managing the crisis after the prank became a global scandal. The lawsuit claims Christian had been assured that SCA would intervene if the broadcast went too far. Instead, he and Greig were left to endure “sustained and intense public scrutiny, criticism, harassment and abuse, including death threats”.
Christian explains the 13-year delay in filing the lawsuit by stating that SCA had promised to "restore his reputation and rebuild his career," but failed to deliver on that promise and ultimately fired him. He is now seeking financial compensation for damages.
SCA has not responded directly to the lawsuit but released a brief statement: "The matter is before the court and out of respect for the legal process and the privacy of those involved, we are not in a position to comment at this time", the statement said.
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King Edward VII Hospital in London, England. Photo: Jacek Plewa |
King Edward VII Hospital in London, England. Photo: Jacek Plewa
SCA is Australia's largest radio broadcaster, operating 86 stations across every state and territory. Immediately following the incident in 2020, an SCA spokesperson apologized, stating that the program was conducted with the best of intentions and wished the Royal Family well. "This was a foolish prank call that we all deplore", a spokesperson for King Edward VII Hospital responded. The hospital, founded in 1899, is known for its high standard of private healthcare in London, supported by carefully selected nurses, doctors, and staff.
Hai Thu (Perthnow, MailOnline, Sydney Morning Herald)
