Ex-Husband's Affair Claims Cost Him £15K

A Northern Ireland businesswoman has successfully won a libel claim against her estranged husband, securing a £15,000 damages payout. The case, heard at the High Court, stemmed from emails sent by her ex-husband in March 2021, alleging an affair with a senior colleague.

These damaging emails were sent to the managing director of her employer, Henderson Foodservice, and the boss of a major supplier. The ex-husband’s messages questioned the conduct of the businesswoman and her colleague within their devoutly Christian workplace. He specifically asked: 'What would Jesus say?'

Mrs. Stamm and her colleague sued for libel, asserting the allegations were false and had harmed their professional and personal reputations. Both had separated from their respective spouses before their relationship began. The court accepted the emails were untrue and defamatory, as the ex-husband did not appear to defend the case.

Judge Master Mark Harvey noted the strong religious ethos of Henderson Foodservice, where religious materials are displayed and ethical conduct is paramount. While the plaintiffs claimed career impact, the judge found no concrete evidence of this for either Mrs. Stamm or Mr. Kennedy.

Consequently, the judge awarded £7,500 to each of the plaintiffs for the distress and humiliation suffered. The ex-husband was ordered to pay the legal costs. The judge concluded the award was proportionate, serving to console the plaintiffs and vindicate their reputations.