Country Liberal candidate for Johnston Gary Strachan believed a former employee who vented in a Facebook post that went viral locally, could have been libel for “millions”, if the allegations affected “government grants”.
The Mango Inquirer was first notified of the post last year, but settled on leaving the story alone after contacting Strachan and hearing his side of the situation.
An apology post by the former employee eventually followed, that referred to “grievances” and “information that was incorrect or incomplete”.
The former employee also wrote: “I fully and unreservedly apologise for putting this statement on Facebook and any losses, damage, costs, hurt and offence caused to Deadly Hair Dude and its Directors as a result.”
“I ask that everyone who shared or commented on my defamatory post share my apology and retract their statements publicly on this Facebook page.”
A series of public apology posts to Facebook then followed, by a range of social media “supporters”.
We’ve chosen not to identify them either.
The apologies all read: “I indicated support for [former employee] statement. Upon reflection I have come to realise that I should not have publicly supported the statement.
“I fully and unreservedly apologise publicly for supporting the statement by [former employee].”
The Mango Inquirer will not repeat all the allegations by the former employee, nor disclose Strachan’s counter-claims.
As a potential MLA in an Territory government, I do feel these kinds of situations on how disputes are handled and resolved, are very relevant.
We are The Mango Inquirer.
