Slander

[Amethyst]

Defamation Act 1996

Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights

Article 10 (2) of the European Convention on Human Rights states that one of the legitimate grounds for limiting an individual's right to freedom of expression is in order to protect the reputation of others.



Someone is spreading malicious rumours, and speaking out openly against someone else. Its more intimation than direct accusations and it is all spoken not written. Its worrying the victim stupid although the majority of people seem to be behind her, and the slander is by one woman and is quiet obviously, to me anyway, driven by petty jealousy. It could have knock on effects on their reputation as it is regarding money and the victims hold a good position in their local area and are trusted in lots of respects, from helping people in their homes, collecting monies and orgainsing outings for people, to orgainising and helping on local events.

Is there anything we can do, possibly not in a legal injunctiony type sense, although if it did continue they may have to consider this route ?


I'll know a bit more later this afternoon. Will have to keep the main details private tho.

[Paule]

Re: Slander

An initial letter relating the defamation act to the agressor outlining the harm they are causing, and that you will persue the matter further may be a start

[EXC]

Re: Slander

Simple...speak to Pia.

[Amethyst]

Re: Slander

An initial letter relating the defamation act to the agressor outlining the harm they are causing, and that you will persue the matter further may be a start

She has written a letter which will be read at a meeting this afternoon.

Will let you know what happens in that.

Thanks

[Amethyst]

Re: Slander

This is the letter which was read out at the meeting, and resulted in the secretary (the woman slandering) resigning from the board.

As our President and chair of our meetings I have to write to you to explain my views regarding the current unpleasant situation that has arisen within the WI committee about my trip arrangements.


As you are fully aware the outings I have organised have all been very successful, the financing of them has been arranged by me and for several years, in cooperation with our Treasurer, xxxxxxxx, there has been no problem.


The recent request to pass all the transactions ‘through the books’ is fine although it does create a lot more work for others and probably will actually increase the cost of the trips due to the loss of the incidental subsidies provided by my household. However I have accepted that is the way you require it to be done and hopefully the operational difficulties it causes will be worked around. It is simply a pity that a smoothly working system, economic and acceptable to all but one, has been abandoned.


My serious problem is the suggestion by xxxxxxxxxxx that I have been in some way dishonest and that I am not trustworthy. This is a slanderous statement made without any evidence and furthermore she has approached others with these suggestions and as a consequence I feel that both my and my husband’s integrity has been questioned.


As you know we are both well known within the village and for a smear of this nature to become general knowledge is not acceptable.


I believe I am a respected and popular member of the WI and it’s committee and will remain on the committee for as long as the members want me to and my personal circumstances allow.


Therefore I believe that either I receive a complete apology from xxxxxxxxxxxand an agreement that she will no longer make unfounded allegations or she should be asked to put her allegations in writing with the appropriate evidence. Whether she remains a member of the WI or the committee is a matter for you to decide. It is certainly essential that any minutes produced by xxxxxxxxxxx are checked to ensure slander does not become libel and that they truly reflect the meetings.


It is with a very sad heart I have had to write to you in this manner but unless this situation is resolved I will continue to have sleepless nights and tearful outpourings to my husband.


We have a lovely WI in a lovely village and I hope we can all continue to enjoy it.

[Budgie]

Re: Slander

Brilliant ............... and I am so pleased for your Mother by the result of the meeting yesterday.

Congratulations to her and your Father, they sound like lovely people.

Any chance of a freebie Victoria Sponge !!!!!!!!!

[Amethyst]

Re: Slander

pmsl watch it or I'll bring a sackload on the 31st

and course they're lovely they take after me

[EXC]

Re: Slander

Well done that woman.

It can't of been easy for her to do that.

[Amethyst]

Re: Slander

It wasn't, shes as shy as me. My dad called and thanked me this morning. Knowing she had the option to talk to Pia really helped her confidence, so thankyou xxx Think she just needed a moral boost and confirmation she wasn't just being silly.

Thank you

[enaid]

Re: Slander

A very good letter and an even better result Enaid xx

[Amethyst]

Re: Slander

hmmmm not so good - had a call this afternoon.

The woman who resigned has intentions of going to the next meeting (a bigger one county or something) on tuesday and reading a statement out denying slander and saying that she has not named my mother (even though she did in front of 12 people at another meeting).

She will be in touch with a lawyer on monday for a chat - her intention is to write another letter to be read at same meeting similar in essence to the first. She is quite confident that the president of the meeting (which is going to be attended by approx 60 people) will squish this woman, but it still plants seeds of doubt in peoples minds doesn't it. But I think she needs a bit of advice first, hopefully she can stop this woman speaking at the meeting.

Additionally the background gossiping continues and she is extremely upset by it all.

Its so flaming annoying.

[EXC]

Re: Slander

Is this woman denying that your mum was the subject of the allegations?

[strangewayofsavin]

Re: Slander

Hi Ame, Is the WI (sorry for asking) an independant Business/charity/entity, or is it governed by the Local authority or an entity governed by the state?
If it is partially funded or owned by the state, then recent legislation implemented by our wonderful Labour Government has stated all departments need to be fully acountable for its expences (some crud about value for money for the tax payer).
However independant charities have also been asked to report all expences, in order to continue to gain the normal tax relief that charities usually receive from donations.
This rulling has already caused havoc with local dial a ride etc, and other reliant enities like tea mornings for old folk/disabled etc.

[theGobbyOne]

Re: Slander

Ame slander is a tricky one but me starting media law and slander if that helps......can ask some questions hun............if ya want me toooooooo

[Amethyst]

Re: Slander

She had a meeting last night, the woman whos been causing the problem didnt attend, but her daughter stood up and announced she was resigning as she felt she couldnt be associated with an organisation whos accounts were dodgy basically.

Accounts have been kept fully since November, and they have lost a fair bit of flexibility by doing this, gone are fish and chip suppers and prizes for competitions cause they aren't ''allowed'' by the WI rules. So I guess things haven't been done strictly by the book, but no one is profitting from the WI financially and it all benefits the 74 members (which has gone up from 30 since my mum joined )

Anyway have a bit more to add later but will have to shift this down to VIP, sorryyyyyyyyyy