People should not be taking anything out of private conversation and assessing it anywhere IMHO, except within that exact private conversation it was stated within, with the exact participants as part of that conversation. That is what private means to me!
Saying that... I also don't see an issue if something is said in a private conversation about another, and a member takes it up in a new private conversation with that person, asking for clarification. I don't see why anyone should be getting upset over such a thing, as IMHO, I would go to the source myself if confused about something for clarification vs. second, third or fourth hand knowledge.
If someone took something from private conversation and posted it publicly, that would about be the end of your use of this forum... as commonsense has failed to be applied as I see it, regardless who it is.