DH has been slandered on local FB page

[Westerntravel]

Posting for traffic. DH is a tradesman, has done the job for years with no issues and a great reputation with positive reviews etc.

He has been working in a local ladies house for the past week or so and the job finished on Wednesday afternoon.

Last night, without warning, she put a post up on our local FB community group and accused DH of going through her belongings. The reason she knows this, is that she always positions one of her drawers in a particular way and stuff had been moved.

DH is mortified and completely denies this. Thankfully, a lot of the replies are from people who have used him before without issue and they are singing his praises. There are some embarrassing comments from random people calling him a pervert etc which are really hurtful.

She is refusing to take it down despite polite requests from DH. Does anyone know where we stand on this?

Oh. Sounds like someone doesn't want to pay for the work.

I think the best you can do is for your DH to put something up expressing outrage and saying in no uncertain terms this is utterly untrue and defamatory. Rather than “your pants are huge so I wouldn’t” I’d go with “I am a happily married man and you have caused distress to my family with these groundless and irresponsible allegations”

I'd contact a solicitor and post on the Facebook post that you are seeking legal advice and won't be commenting further. Hopefully she'll shit herself and take it down, but if not, continue along the legal route.

I think you are being OTT, I respect everyone regardless of size - my two closest friends are larger ladies and they’ve never accused me of anything untoward.

I appreciate your comments on the issue at hand.

I would contact the police, it’s classed as a crime under the malicious communications act 1988.

Your husband should publicly ask the poster to remove the post as it’s libel and will impact his business or he will be taking further action. He should also contact the admins again and tell them the same and that action will be taken against them. It may come to him having to see a solicitor but most admins recognise that they can’t just let people make disparaging remarks on a group and hide behind ‘let people make their own minds up’.

Libel.
To prove libel, you would have to have a very good and clear record of the loss to the company/trader as a result.
It is very costly and almost impossible to do without very deep pockets.

The best way to deal with this is to write to the customer and the Facebook admin telling them you would like it removed instantly or to evidence their proof other than hearsay or you will have no other choice but to pursue a case of libel to both the person making the accusation and the admin facilitating it.
Be polite and firm.
Usually the admin will remove as they don’t wish to be caught up in other people’s dramas when it could be detrimental to them.

It might actually be worth the money for a solicitors letter. Defamation is a rich man’s game but a letter may shut her up. It absolutely is defamatory. Does he have insurance which would cover it?

I think, if they're playing trial by FB, the fat and unattractive comment is a perfectly valid point

If it’s written down, it’s libel.

DH has now left a public comment denying what has been alleged and stated he’s seeking legal advice. Hopefully that does the trick and it gets taken down.

Well aren’t you a delight.

As stated, she has a potential defence. Shame you and your husband seem to be nasty people.

That is one helluva stupid thing to do based purely upon 'I have a feeling that Mr X did such & such. I have no evidence or proof....'

Perhaps she keeps her underused brain cell and any sense of integrity in the same disordered drawer.

@Westerntravel post either in the legal section here or on Reddit but you will likely need to get a solicitor involved.

I can’t believe you are doubling down on this!

Seeing as OP’s only assurance her husband didn’t do it is because the woman is fat, I’m not sure I’m inclined to believe his protests.

I wish you hadn't said about the size 20 knickers tbh. Anyway moving on, you have good advice on here. Maybe tradespeople are going to have to wear headcams or something!

Probably. Unless the accused is a friend or family member. Suspect it would be a different story then.

In which case I would be telling them that solicitors will be in touch with them as admins

Yes, if I worked in someone's property I'd be tempted to wear a body cam permanently. Obviously, you'd have to make sure that customers were fully aware of this before they booked you for work, but I'd rather that than spurious accusations.

I had no idea how many awful people lived in my town until Facebook and local groups.

I really feel for your DH, OP, this is awful.

I hope her post is far outweighed by positive comments. I hope a solicitor can offer good advise and correct this horrible injustice.

Yeah you've lost me here now. And also any rights to the moral high ground.

Wow, after that post I hope it does affect the business!

Those saying she has a legal point/defence … is that really true? If my belief was someone had stolen from me with no proof or evidence, that belief is sufficient to state this publicly with no comeback? Surely that can’t be right?!!

Yes.

Honest opinion and public interest are two defences to defamation/libel.