Mayor unmasks woman behind fake Facebook account posts

THE mayor of a seaside town has outed a woman who allegedly used a fake Facebook account to boost her boss’s planning application.

Andrew Wallis, the mayor of Porthleven, claimed he uncovered the impostor account after a comment was submitted to his blog under a false name in support of a controversial building plan that he has criticised.

Mr Wallis has been in conflict with the Trevor Osborne Property Group over a plan to build an arts and innovation centre, which he described as a “monstrosity”, Cornwall Live reported.

Multiple posts were made both on the blog and links to it on Facebook by a Maxwell Holbourne-chartres.

However, the writer was allegedly rumbled as being Sam Pace, a development manager for the property company, after Mr Wallis noticed the email address alongside one comment did not match.

The website reported that Mr Wallis said: “First time I have outed someone on FB for using a false name. Sorry Sam, but if you want to comment on my blog, you really should use your own name.”

Ms Pace allegedly admitted that she had “posted comments on FB in a friend’s name”. She added: “This was a serious error of judgment on my part, although I absolutely stand by the comments made,” adding that, “Trevor Osborne had absolutely no knowledge whatsoever of what I was doing”.

The Daily Telegraph has contacted Trevor Osborne Property Group and asked if either the company or Ms Pace wishes to comment.