My (so called) friend is telling outrageous lies about me!

[wtafluv]

Absolutely horrified! Just found out that someone considered a real longtime friend, has been texting people to ask if they've heard the rumour that I'm sleeping with a colleague (high profile as he's the CEO of a very well known company).

A close friend today showed me the messages. Couldn't believe it.

This is absolutely fiction. I barely know this man.

What on earth do I do how? I'm horrid and shocked.

This woman had text me today about a play date with our doggies!

I’d tell her that if she doesn’t immediately text all the people she sent that message to, saying it was untrue, an entirely unfounded rumour, and that she apologises unreservedly to you for saying such a thing, you’ll be suing her for libel.

OP @wtafluv

If I were you, I'd literally ignore her totally until she wonders what's up. Play the long game. Cancel the doggie date... whatsapp her saying just this... "I'm not coming"
Then ignore her and let her sweat

Maybe he has being telling people this?

I would meet up with her and confront her face to face, you have the proof, and see what she has to say for herself. Then I would insist that she sent a text retracting that message and making it clear that she made it up/was mistaken and it is completely false. I would insist that she did this while in front of you and that she checked the wording with you before sending it to everyone that was sent the previous slanderous text. You do need to go in hard and shut this down now.

'Sorry, can't make the doggo date. Have plans to shag x'.

Can you ask your close friend to hand you their phone and ask libelwomen some questions? It is probably the only way you will get the answers of where this started and who she has sent this to. Then state if she doesn’t send a message (pre composed by you) to all the people she sent it to, there will be consequences. Presumably she fancies/hates the man herself or the man’s partner?

I would find it very hard not to message her (for the sake of having a written record) asking what the hell she is playing at, spreading malicious and defamatory rumours. Ask why she'd do such a thing, rather than talking to you first, and demand she apologises formally both to you and to everyone she has dragged into her gossipfest. She needs reminding of the damage this has done and could do, not just to your reputation but also to the CEO's. Imagine he hears about this and somehow thinks you've told someone you've slept with him? This could have awful repercussions for both of you, all because she's a lying bitch.

So for all the people saying block/end the friendship/never speak to her again, what if she’s heard the rumour from somewhere else?

People are accusing this woman of being a bitch based on no information at all other than another shit-stirring friend who’s shown the OP the texts.

OP you need to ask her. Because if she hasn’t started this rumour and this rumour is going around through other sources, blocking this woman is going to achieve nothing, and the rumour will still be out there.

These rumours are usually started for a reason. And frankly I’m wondering what could have led someone to this conclusion.

But even if he had, why wouldn't this "friend" rush straight to @wtafluv either to alert her to the rumour (which you'd hope a good friend would), or to be a nosy cow and find out the sordid details if there were any? Why would you ask anyone except wtafluv?

Fastest way to ensure a rumour will spread is ask someone if its true

This is the best response😂

Have you ever heard of google? Or is that too much trouble when cosplaying a lawyer on the internet?

Personally I would send her a screenshot of the message she sent, followed by ??? See what she says, perhaps it will teach her not to do it again.

I’d call her on it. Say something like “Hi. Several friends have told me that you’re spreading rumours that I’ve slept with my boss. That’s untrue. I’ve been shown some of your messages. Please explain.”

I think that's good one. Straight to the point

Would you tell her that the alleged affair partner is considering legal action against her- as a PP said libel laws are for the rich, and he probably is. If he's married, or your boss, these rumours could really impact on his life.

Is she a bored person, living a boring life, attention seeking via her connection with you?

If so, I think she will use anything as ammunition for further gossiping, as will all the other bored gossips (probably in sex less lives/relationships and living vicariously through other people's sex lives, or imagined ones). Just don't feed them any fodder for any further gossip. Keep conversations to all those presumed involved in this smear campaign to weather, dogs, local sporting events, their lives.......... And friend dump all the false friends.

Could she /they be resentful or jealous of you?

Ofa · Today 15:28

I’d call her on it. Say something like “Hi. Several friends have told me that you’re spreading rumours that I’ve slept with my boss. That’s untrue. I’ve been shown some of your messages. Please explain.”

THIS

Don't do this, or any of the other suggestions that have been made to go along with this as a joke.

It's not fair on the CEO and she would not be wrong if she then tells people you said it was true. Even if she doesn't believe it herself, you'll have given her the ammo to continue spreading lies about you, but this time with confirmation from you that it's true.

Slander and libel are civil offences and the police are not interested. That is, unless they constitute malicious communication - threatening, grossly offensive or obscene.

Slander and libel are both civil matters unless they constitute malicious communication - then it becomes a police matter. So if the messages are threatening, grossly offensive or obscene, then this could be perfectly true.

Wow. Unbelievable that this kind of thing happens. 🙄

"I'm cutting down on the dogs and ramping up the doggie"

Dunno about the doggies Angela, currently evaluating evidence you’ve been spreading lies. Omg.

Ah, you’re right — or at least, I remembered there was more to it than just slander. Apologies, @Biker47