Ben Fordham makes shock claim about NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb after she suddenly cancelled an interview: ‘It’s about me … It’s a dummy spit’

Breakfast radio host Ben Fordham has slammed NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, accusing her of trying to get media bosses to silence criticism of her after she canceled an interview on her Radio show 2GB.

Webb has been at the center of public scrutiny for a series of perceived errors in his handling of alleged murder allegations against New South Wales Police Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon and the Tasering of great-grandmother Clare Nowland.

“Morale in the police force is sinking and the commissioner has gone into hiding,” Fordham said on his Monday morning show, amid a storm over the hiring of a new PR chief, Channel Seven producer Spotlight, Steve Jackson.

Fordham claimed that Webb had approached media executives asking for “favorable coverage” amid a long series 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.

Fordham was referring to the death of 95-year-old Clare Nowland, who was allegedly attacked with a Taser by officer Kristian White at a Cooma nursing home in May 2023.

“When I was asking 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 happening, Karen Webb wanted me to relax a little.”

Ms Webb was due to appear on Fordham’s 2GB program on Monday to answer questions about the “crime wave” in regional New South Wales.

She was reportedly busy every day last week, but scheduled a live interview to start the week.

“But the commissioner is not coming to our program this morning, (she) called me on Friday to explain this to me,” Fordham said.

She said she was unhappy with a “cheeky” question she asked Premier Chris Minns earlier that day about whether he had received his “resignation letter”.

“It’s stupid spitting and it’s another example of the commissioner taking things personally instead of looking for a lesson,” he said.

The month of scrutiny began after serving 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 remained notably silent in the days following the accusation against Lamarre-Condon, and when she finally faced the cameras, she was criticized for a series of embarrassing errors, including referring to the incident as a “crime of passion” and quoting Lyrics from Taylor Swift when asked if she should quit.

The police chief has also faced criticism after firing a staff member from her public affairs department in recent weeks.

NSW Police have been contacted for comment.