[Vicky.]

It seems clarification is needed in the case of a housemate/housemates family member joining the forum.

Once they are a member of this forum, the same rules apply that apply to all other members. Eg. no insulting them directly.

For example. BB is over and housemate X joins the forum and makes a 'hello' thread. It would NOT be acceptable to go into that thread and say 'you are a wanker'.

However, although they are now a member, it is fine to still discuss them in other parts of the site. For example, joining in with other discussion threads about housemate X and slagging them off would be perfectly fine.

To clarify, insults directly to the housemate are not allowed. However insults about the housemate are allowed. (though the no over the top abuse rule does still apply, in all cases)

Just because a housemate joins the site, this does not make them immune from criticism, however we still expect all members to respect other members, which would include that housemate.

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I realise this is quite hard to follow, so I have made some hypothetical examples here...

There is a long running thread in which many members have said XXXX is an arsehole because on his behavior in the house. XXXX then joins the forum.

We cannot expect people who have a negative opinion on XXXX to stop posting said negative opinion just because he has joined the forum. Because besides being a member, he is also a housemate and a topic of conversation

XXXX is a member of the forum. Someone starts a thread on XXXXs time in the house and says they were a prick. This is fine, as it is an opinion on the show. Where saying to XXX that they are a prick, is not

XXXX makes a thread to introduce themselves. A member then answers this thread with 'you are such an arsehole'. This is not OK, because it is an insult to another forum member.

XXXX makes a thread saying they will answer FMS questions. A member asks 'why did you do this in the house, it came across a bit sh***y' would be fine. Whilst 'you were such a **** **** **** when you did this in the house, and you are still *** **** now' would not be