Aside from his many broadcasting scandals –from a 14-year-old girlcrying about a sexual ordeal on air to offending Jews,Christians and gays with inappropriate comments about concentration camps,the Virgin Mary andthe monkeypox virus – Sandilands was most recently ordered to undergo“sensitivity training” for mocking Paralympians on air.
He is also well known for his intriguing social circle,which will be on full display during his wedding.
His best man is convicted drug smugglerSimon Main. Among his groomsmen is Kings Cross identityJohn Ibrahim.
The premier and prime minister’s offices on Thursday confirmed Minns and Albanese would attend but did not elaborate on the exact nature of their relationships with Sandilands. Nor is it clear if either leader knows Main or Ibrahim,both of whom have been photographed with Sandilands for years and regularly socialise together.
On Friday morning a spokesperson from Minns’ office confirmed he would still be attending,saying “We wish Mr Sandilands and his fiancee all the best ahead of their wedding”.
As for the Main and Ibrahim connection,the spokesperson responded:“When you go to a wedding do you know every single guest? Or do you know the bride and the groom?”
Albanese’s office said it had nothing to add on Friday,though the PM had confirmed his attendance at the wedding on air this week.
Sandilands’ managerBruno Bouchet,also a groomsman,said Sandilands had become good friends with both politicians over recent years,but did not expand on exactly how well the controversial media identity knew them.