My neighbour said I broke into his shed

Defamation tends to favour the person bringing the action insofar as the burden of proof is not on the plaintiff to prove their good reputation but on the defendant to prove that the statement is true, writes solicitor Stephen Coppinger.

My neighbour said I broke into his shed to look for the machinery, which is completely untrue - have I any legal rights?

Dear Stephen, 

I am a farmer, and I am having difficulty with a neighbour. We have never been on good terms, but matters have escalated in the last few months.