Phil Tripp's confirmation yesterday to Undercover and numerous other news organizations about a Glenn Wheatley reality TV show turned out to be an extremely poor taste joke.
Sydney music industry mouthpiece Tripp had confirmed to Undercover over the phone that the story was true before publication. He also confirmed that cable TV network XYZ was looking at taking the show and named a cable TV exec as being interested in the production.Mr. Tripp also rang back Undercover to announce the merchandise idea of the USB ankle bracelet. That was not such an outrageous idea. Matchbox Twenty also yesterday announced that they were selling USB bracelets at each of their shows.
I personally quizzed Mr. Tripp on whether this was a prank and if he had the permission of Glenn Wheatley to do this. He confirmed that Wheatley needed the money, but also said that he could not profit from his crimes. I asked him directly if this was a prank. I was lied to.
He also confirmed that it was not illegal because Wheatley is not restricted from conducting business while on home detention.
So, Phil, Neil Mitchell gets told the truth, but I get lied to even though I called you personally and asked you clearly if this is for real? At that point, the lie should have been revealed. Continuing past that point was dishonest.
Was all this just an extremely poor taste exercise in self-publicity?
In a statement today, Tripp says, "So why did I do it? It's not for my own notoriety. After 20 years of doing it, I'm putting away the PR hat with an amusing and harmless hoax. I really don't need to use the media any more for clients or personal projects and with an eye to retirement from my other music business interests".
This was neither amusing nor harmless. It was a downright lie. The ramifications of this lie (it is not a hoax if it was confirmed) could mean that Glenn Wheatley loses his right to home detention.
He also said in today's statement, "So I had a joke, the gullible media ready to run a story without real research and confirmation got sucked in."
We are hardly gullible when we call you to confirm. This wasn't April Fool's Day, Phil.
As you say, you are putting away your PR hat. This isn't putting the hat away. This was flushing an exceptional career and reputation right down the toilet.
At midday today, Phil told Undercover "I'm sure I have surprised a few people, disappointed some and from the mailbox, given a few people some laughs".
A downright lie is hardly cause for laughter, especially at the expense of someone as respectable as Glenn Wheatley whose family has suffered because of his situation anyway.
This stunt was appalling.
