Michael Christian, the Australian radio presenter who made a prank call to a London hospital caring for the Princess of Wales in 2012, is suing his former employer, Southern Cross Austereo (SCA). Christian alleges he was used as a 'fall guy' after the call led to a nurse's suicide.
Christian and co-host Mel Greig were presenting on 2Day FM when they impersonated the then Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth to gain information about Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who was hospitalised with severe morning sickness. Nurse Jacintha Saldanha took her own life days after the call.
Court documents claim Christian was ordered by the production team to make the call and that SCA failed to support him and Greig, leaving them exposed to public vitriol and death threats. The broadcaster is accused of not taking accountability and allowing the presenters to be scapegoats.
Christian, who was made redundant in February, says he was promised support but was gradually marginalised. He is seeking penalties, compensation for economic loss, and damages. SCA has not yet responded to the lawsuit.
