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by AimHere 4666 days ago
Defaming a third party by telephone would more likely be slander than libel, but it's certainly not clear that what went on here would be defamation at all.

A defamatory statement must be a false factual allegation. As long as what the headmaster claimed was true, he should be safe from libel or slander lawsuits - saying "I don't like this guy's politics and you shouldn't take him on as a student." is a fair expression of opinion, however silly that opinion is, and despite the rather insidious attempt to harm someone's career over a personal/political disagreement.

Mind you, I'd guess that in these sorts of circumstances, Glasgow University would likely thank the headmaster for his concern and file the note of this communication in the waste paper basket, where it belongs. Universities are no stranger to having to fend off third parties - parents, police, stalkers and whathaveyou - attempting to meddle in the affairs of their students; if their admin staff are halfways competent, they already have 50 tactful ways of telling outside interferers to fuck off.
2 comments
Zuider 4666 days ago
>...saying "I don't like this guy's politics and you shouldn't take him on as a student." is a fair expression of opinion...

Mr. Szemalikowski appears to be claiming that he considered the student, Kinnan Zaloom, to be a potential terrorist:

>He said he had 'major concerns and was duty bound under legal acts for the prevention of violent extremism' and that he was 'erring on the side of caution' in taking action.

>'It is fairly worrying stuff,' he added.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2414197/A-level-stud...

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carbocation 4666 days ago
Truth is an absolute defense to the claim of libel or slander in the US, but not in all worldwide jurisdictions.
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AimHere 4666 days ago
It's also the case in the UK. What makes you think I was thinking of US libel law? I'm not American
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carbocation 4665 days ago
English libel law is substantially more friendly to the plaintiff than to the defendant.

I referenced US libel law as a counterpoint to the rest of the world because I thought you were not thinking of the US. There have been several high profile cases of journalists and scientists saying true but defamatory things in the UK about quacks and charlatans and being hounded in the courts. In response to this, the UK has actually passed legislation attempting to remedy the situation, but this has not yet taken effect.

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walshemj 4666 days ago
Even if its the truth its still gross misconduct by the head in my book - I bet this is a "free" school with no proper governing body.
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Zuider 4666 days ago
It is a Comprehensive, or state school.
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