FACEBOOK have been branded “heartless” after they deleted thousands of members from a group set up to find a missing Scot.
Allan Bryant has not been seen since November 3, 2013 after he left a nightclub in Glenrothes, Fife, and his family fear he was murdered.
The 23-year-old’s father, also Allan, helped set up a Facebook group called Justice for Allan Bryant Jnr! which he says had over 81,000 members.
But the 52-year-old says he discovered last week that Facebook had culled 14,000 members without informing him.
Allan, from Glenrothes, claims the move reduces the chance of him ever finding out what happened to his son.
He has shared a message from Facebook in which they admit to “moving inactive members”.
The total number of members to the group currently stands at over 67,500.
Allan Snr said: “The number used to be just over 81,000. It’s just mad that they can do this and get away with it.
“I believe it’s because Facebook do not have adverts on such groups. But to do it to a missing person page is just heartless.”
Writing on his own Facebook page he complained: “Last week when I checked my son Allan’s page, I noticed Facebook decided to delete 14,000 members.
“No matter what I do my family keeps getting punished for searching for our son.”
Allan Snr says Facebook posted a notice on the appeal page admitting that members had been moved.
The message reads: “We want to make sure that people are joining groups that are relevant and meaningful to them.
“Today, we’re moving people who have been added to a group, but never visited it, into the Invited section of the group’s members list.
“As a result you may see changes in your group’s total member count.”
Being on a Facebook group’s “invited” lists means you are no longer able to participate although members can rejoin with a press of a button.
Jeanette Bryson commented: “Facebook is getting beyond a joke. Praying for answers for yous soon.”
Cathie Gemmell wrote: “That’s shocking Allan, FB have no business doing that. You know that we are all here for you and your lovely family Allan, we are your family.”
Jean Hill commented: “I don’t understand how Facebook are allowed to do this to groups. If they’re doing that what else are they doing that we don’t know about? It’s getting to be a joke.”
Allan Bryant Jnr disappeared after leaving the Styx nightclub. Allan Snr said in 2015: “I believe Allan was murdered and his body disposed of that night.”
In his Facebook post he also called out police for “failing” his son and hopes a reward will help to find his boy despite the setbacks the family have had for the last five years.
He wrote: “Hi everyone. I just want to thank everyone for their support over the past few months.
“At the moment I’m not sure where to go or what to do next. Fife Police failed my son, Allan, and they are getting away with it.”
Last summer the family announced that the reward to find Allan had reached £2000. Mr Bryant Snr revealed that had now increased.
He said: “Allan’s reward is now just over £2500. I believe and always have believed this is the only way I will ever find out what happened to Allan. No family should ever have to go through this cruel heartless callous treatment.”
He signed off the post with: “Sadly this is the world we live in. Neglected by the white collar society who only care about their own kind.”
Last month, the Bryant family were hit with more heartache as Allan Snr’s brother David, 60, lost his short battle with cancer.
