Karl Stefanovic taxi scandal: Driver records private conversation with brother Peter
Karl Stefanovic can’t seem to shake the spotlight this week, with reports suggesting a taxi driver has recorded a private phone conversation between the Today host and his brother Peter and is trying to shop it around to media networks.
The allegations were first made by veteran Australian entertainment reporter Peter Ford, who teased the story on social media over the weekend.
“Could a Sydney taxi driver who recorded the private drunken conversation of a famous passenger be about to destroy a TV partnership?” he tweeted.
“There will be tears before breakfast time. Next week across Australia & NZ.”
Ford was one of the guests on the Kyle and Jackie O show this morning, where he elaborated on his allegations to the two morning radio hosts.
“They have a very frank and full conversation; talk about lots of people. The driver is in the front seat recording the whole thing, and is now shopping it around. How low is that?
“You can’t use it, because it’s an illegally recorded conversation. Any media outlet out there wouldn’t be able to quote from the conversation,” Ford said.
“They talked about jobs, about life, a bit of bitching and a bit of moaning. But I think most people would think, there but for the grace of God go I,” he continued.
Ford claims to have had the phone call transcribed to him, and argues that while the contents weren’t “earth shattering” there was a bit of “bitching and venting”.
“Obviously I was talking about Georgie Gardner,” Ford said, explaining his earlier cryptic tweet.
“I don’t know that it would destroy (their partnership), but it certainly would cause... it’s an unusual relationship between those two anyway, you just wouldn’t want any grenade thrown into the mix.”
What are your thoughts? Do you think this is a case of where there’s smoke there’s fire? Or is it too early to cast judgement on the situation before hearing the recording.