Tattle Life Founder Unmasked After £300,000 Defamation Case

BELFAST, Northern Ireland — The secret operator of the notorious gossip forum Tattle Life has been revealed as Sebastian Bond, also known as Bastian Durward, after a landmark defamation ruling. In December 2023, Bond was ordered to pay a total of £300,000 in damages to Irish couple Neil and Donna Sands, who sued for defamation and harassment. The couple’s legal battle exposed Bond, who had previously operated the site under the alias ‘Helen McDougal.’

Tattle Life, which launched in 2017, draws an astounding twelve million visitors monthly, primarily from the UK. It has been characterized as a platform for vitriolic commentary about public figures, including influencers and celebrities. High Court Justice McAlinden criticized the site for exploiting the misfortunes of individuals for profit, stating that it was ‘a calculated exercise of extreme cynicism.’

Bond, 41, is also known as a vegan cooking influencer with a large following on his Instagram account, Nest and Glow. His online presence as a food author starkly contrasts the hateful environment of Tattle Life, where threads filled with derogatory remarks and personal attacks flourish.

Neil and Donna Sands, who operate the fashion brand Sylkie, reported feeling constant anxiety and fear from online harassment, which escalated into real-life stalking. In a statement, they explained that the toll of the abuse forced them to take drastic measures to protect themselves, including pursuing legal action against Bond.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that thousands of posts targeted the couple and their businesses with misleading and defamatory comments. The couple’s demanding legal fight led them to trace and freeze Bond’s assets located across multiple jurisdictions, a complex task described as a global forensic investigation by their attorney, Peter Barr.

Following the verdict, the Sands activist noted, ‘For nearly a decade, Tattle Life has been a hate site profiting from attacks on others. Now, we hope this marks a turning point for accountability online.’ As part of the ruling, Bond’s assets were frozen, and he was ordered to pay an additional cessation fee of £1,077,173 to lift restrictions on his identity.

Despite the court’s orders, Tattle Life remains a concern, with many threads targeting individuals still active. Neil Sands asserted that people deserve the right to an accountable internet, emphasizing the importance of holding those who engage in online abuse responsible for their actions.