Colleagues defend Chesterton reputation

09/02/2010 | 12:19 PM

Journalist Ray Chesterton was regarded as a "terrific professional and a good person" before John Laws attacked him on his radio show, a judge has been told.

Long-term colleague Roger Coombs described Mr Chesterton's reputation as "peerless", but said the Laws broadcast made him question his high opinion of him.

The News Limited journalist was one of three colleagues who gave evidence on Tuesday in the NSW Supreme Court for Mr Chesterton's defamation case.

He is suing Radio 2UE over an August 2005 Laws broadcast, which a jury has found defamed Mr Chesterton.

As well as describing him as a "bombastic, beer-bellied buffoon", Mr Laws said the journalist had been fired by 2UE - claims which Mr Chesterton has denied in his evidence.

Radio 2UE is running the defence of "reply to attack".

Mr Coombs, who has know Mr Chesterton since 1986, said that before the broadcast his colleague was regarded as a senior, experienced, reliable reporter who could be assigned to any task.

"He was regarded as a terrific professional and a good person in every respect," he said.

But as a result of the broadcast by Mr Laws, Mr Coombs questioned his own opinion.

He also heard many people discussing the broadcast, when they would comment on how Mr Chesterton had told them he did not drink, and how they did not know he had been sacked by 2UE.

Another colleague, Mark Morri, said that before the broadcast Mr Chesterton was regarded as "the leading journalist on The Daily Telegraph".

When Mr Morri heard the broadcast, he "was struck by thinking that I didn't think Ray drank - maybe he lost the job for drinking".

The hearing continues before Justice Lucy McCallum.