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 wouldn’t meet her to call her out, she could twist whatever you say. She sounds like a two faced person - if she was a friend, she’d have told you what she’d heard and who from before spreading it around to other people.

Message her asking why she’s spreading lies and who started them, so you have a copy of any response. Telling her that this is quite serious as it’s slanderous.

Id message and say. "It has been brought to my attention that you have been spreading rumours that I am sleeping with X. I will be taking legal advice and will take this further if necessary "

Then block

It comes under malicious communication messages likely to cause distress and upset to a party

To be malicious communication the message has to be grossly offensive, obscene or threatening in some way. I don’t think spreading a rumour that someone is sleeping with the boss is likely to qualify. OP could sue for libel though - or better still get the CEO to as he’s likely to have the money to do it.

Drama Llama?

Malicious Communications is where someone sends a letter or any other form of communication that is indecent or grossly offensive, threatening, or contains information which is false or believed to be false. The purpose for sending it is to cause distress or anxiety to the person it is sent to.

note or contains information which is false or believed to be false ergo..,, malicious comms

Internet 'lawyers' still posing, I see.

'Sorry, I can't make the dog walk, I'm in A&E - bizarre thing happened, Mrs CEO turned up on my doorstep and bust my nose never met her before in my life! Police are involved so I'll ring you later when I've spoke to them'

😏

Seriously though, I can't imagine anybody doing this to a friend - apart from maybe in school. wtf is wrong with her?

Like others I also agree with @Ofa. It needs tackling directly and quickly and stating directly to her that it is not true is important. Telling her it’s been discussed with you and you’ve seen her messages also boxes her in. Then putting the ball back in her court to explain without showing any emotion or letting her know what you think or will do about it; it’s much harder for her run with it. If you block and ignore you haven’t got control, especially about where else the rumour goes.

Yeah, don't do any of this.

BetterWithPockets the neighbour may have been cautioned for malicious communications or harassment.

@AdultLounge

Remind me not to mess with you

@AdultLounge

Remind me to be friends with you.
You seem amazing 🤩

She’s not actually spreading the rumour she’s heard elsewhere and obviously doesn’t want to ask you directly. How about asking her who started the rumour?

Any real friend would just ask you directly about it. I can never understand people not just being able to ask straight forward things to their friends especially close ones, but being able to talk about it to everyone else.

Get a copy of the text edit it so she can’t see who sent it to you then send it to her saying Really you want a doggy play date when you are asking about me shaggy ** ? Fuck off you sly bitch I’m not bedding him but if there was any truth in it you’d be the last person I’d tell you gossiping old hag🤬

It’s sad you can’t go but not all schools are the same my childrens school did a yearly planner that we all got in September with all the dates on ok I couldn’t attend everything but Dh would cover some or Dc god parents would if they were free even aunties & uncles went to the odd ones & of course grannie went when she could. Perhaps it’s a suggestion you could put to the school in readiness for next year; when it comes to the weekly assemblies or awards although of course you want to go we had a cohort of friends & we would support whoever’s child was in the spotlight that week it was great because my children loved telling me that * was standing up clapping for them today because you were working; mine are now adults & they have great relationships with their friends & their parents due to this.

If you can be bothered, there's a simple way of checking whether she started the rumour. Tell her something totally invented and scandalous, not a breath of it to anyone else, and see how long it takes to come back to you.

I actually would have met her for the walk and then asked her directly why she's spreading this rumour about you and show her the evidence. Calling someone like this out directly cuts through any nonsense and will probably make them more hesitant to do it again. If she says oh I wasn't sure if it was true, the response is just that she should have come to you directly instead of furthering something she wasn't even sure about. If she doesn't work with you etc then you've nothing to lose by challenging her directly. Maybe bring another friend who can be a witness if you need to take it further in future.

This. Good advice. Have you got proof? Like a screenshot from your friends phone? Do that first.

Good advice?

Have you the remotest idea of how much a libel case would cost?

There are also potential offences under the Communications Act 2003, which has a slightly different focus.

Ypu must confront her. This is completely strange

she will probably deny it

you cannot be her friend

Please do this!!

This would serve her right!!

She needs some time to think about the shitstorm she could have whipped up with her spiteful lies.