
Swinney ‘supports' NHS Fife after trans medic row nurse cleared of misconduct
As tribunal proceedings resumed on Wednesday, it emerged Ms Peggie has been cleared of gross misconduct allegations following a separate disciplinary hearing by the health board.
Scottish Conservative equalities spokeswoman Tess White said: 'This decision confirms what we've known all along – Sandie Peggie did nothing wrong.
'NHS Fife's credibility lies in tatters and senior bosses owe Sandie an immediate and unreserved apology.'
First Minister John Swinney however insisted: 'NHS Fife has my confidence and support.
'They've got important work to do to deliver for the healthcare needs people of Fife, and that's what I expect them to.'
He said the disciplinary process had 'examined issues about the alleged conduct of Sandie Peggie' and had now 'reached its conclusion'.
The First Minister added: 'It is important that these processes are fair to all parties and that is what has been taken forward here and it has reached its conclusion.
'There is obviously an employment tribunal that has been brought by Sandie Peggie that is currently under way.
'It's not appropriate for me to comment on the live proceedings that are under way in that process.'
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: 'It's frankly astonishing that John Swinney is still backing this discredited health board to the hilt.
'They've dragged a dedicated nurse through a traumatic disciplinary hearing and tried to cover up the hundreds of thousands they have already squandered on this tribunal.
'SNP ministers have ignored countless warnings that NHS Fife was failing to comply with their legal obligations.
'It raises a serious question, what exactly would this health board have to do to lose the First Minister's confidence?
'Instead of defending the indefensible, John Swinney should finally stand on the side of women and girls and ensure that NHS Fife and other public bodies are following the law by always providing single-sex spaces.'

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Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Over 260,000 Scots out of work due to long term sickness or disability
EXCLUSIVE: The figures have prompted calls for the SNP Government to give people the support they need to get back to work. Over a quarter of a million Scots are out of work due to long-term sickness or having a disability after a rise caused by the pandemic. The SNP Government has now been urged to invest more in mental health and the NHS to help people back find jobs. Keir Starmer's Labour Government recently proposed tightening eligibility for disability and sickness benefits in a bid to slow the rate of social security spending. But the bulk of the plan was ditched amid claims people who genuinely need to be on benefits would be harmed. Despite the u-turn, Labour sources believe action will have to be taken by the UK and Scottish Governments to get people back into jobs. New figures reveal there are an estimated 269,000 people in Scotland aged 16-64 who gave their reason for being inactive as long-term sick or disabled. It works out at around one third of Scotland's economically inactive people in the same age group. This includes 35,200 people in Glasgow, 16,100 in North Lanarkshire, 14,100 in Fife, 14,000 in Edinburgh and 12,800 in South Lanarkshire. Critics say First Minister John Swinney needs to use his devolved powers to help people who can work into jobs. It was recently reported that Scots on disability benefits for conditions such as anxiety and depression are costing the taxpayer more than £1.3bn a year. Lib Dem MSP Jamie Greene, who uncovered the 269,000 figure, said: 'These figures show that across Scotland there are huge numbers who are economically inactive because they are off long-term sick. 'Of course, there will always be some for whom paid work is not a feasible option but for many more, if they got the right care, the right mental health support or the right career advice, they could find a role that fits them and their needs. 'It seems ridiculous that around five times more is being spent on social security payments for people with mental health conditions than is being specifically dedicated to helping them through the NHS and back into the workplace. 'Similarly, people waiting on autism and ADHD diagnoses are facing waiting lists that stretch into the years. 'We should be investing in the NHS to bring down these long waits. Not only is that the compassionate approach, but it would also be the sensible one economically, allowing people to get back to work. "The Scottish Government need to work urgently with health boards and local authorities on a new plan to support those who are long-term sick; one that tackles long waits for care, invests in mental health and offers tailored advice and support for those who need it.' Labour MSP Daniel Johnson said: 'It's clear far too many Scots are being locked out of work as a result of the SNP 's disastrous mismanagement of our health and social care systems. 'Under the SNP almost one in six Scots are stuck on NHS waiting lists, over 100,000 people have been waiting over a year, and ADHD and autism services have been effectively privatised. "As someone with ADHD, it makes me angry that the SNP is consigning people with ADHD and autism to the employment scrapheap. 'The SNP is robbing hundreds of thousands of Scots of their livelihoods and holding back our economy – it is time for a new direction.' However, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said: 'Jamie Greene is correct that the Scottish Government should invest more into occupational health services and our healthcare system more generally. 'But he risks robbing Peter to pay Paul if he thinks that investment in mental health can come from social security budgets. Disability payments are a lifeline and prevent people falling into further ill-health. He is misguided to think that government savings should therefore be borne on the backs of the sick, disabled or those living with long term health conditions. 'With a growing blackhole in the public finances, projected to be £2.2 billion by 2030, the Scottish Government, if they properly use their powers of taxation, can afford to both give dignity and security to the long-term sick whilst fully funding our public services and creating well paid, secure jobs for those who need it. 'Progressive income and wealth taxes could enable the best of both worlds: a route into gainful employment whilst still providing a safety net for those in need of assistance. That's the route out of economic inactivity and we would encourage Mr Greene and his party to turn their attention to the wealthy instead of those on welfare.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'There will always be some people whose health conditions mean they cannot work, and they should be supported with dignity and respect. It is unacceptable that the UK Government is introducing a two-tier system which reduces the health element of Universal Credit for new applications and will see people losing around £3000 per year by 2029-30. Removing barriers for those who can enter the workplace is a priority for the Scottish Government. 'This is why we are improving our employability support services, including enhanced specialist support for people with disabilities and long term health conditions across all 32 local authorities in July 2025, and increasing access to health board services which support people in work.'


Scottish Sun
19 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
SNP health chief Neil Gray told to ‘grow a backbone' after dodging trans changing rooms row at NHS meeting
Critics slammed Mr Gray for backing NHS bosses amid claims they are pursuing a witch hunt against Ms Peggie CASE SNUBBED SNP health chief Neil Gray told to 'grow a backbone' after dodging trans changing rooms row at NHS meeting Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NEIL Gray was last night told to 'grow a backbone' after dodging the trans changing rooms row at a summit with NHS chiefs. Nats' Health Secretary is said to have only chatted to bosses about dental care three days after Sandie Peggie was cleared of misgendering a male-born medic Dr Beth Upton. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Sign up 5 Neil Gray was told to 'grow a backbone' after dodging the trans changing rooms row Credit: Andrew Barr 5 Critics slammed Mr Gray for backing NHS bosses amid claims they are pursuing a witch hunt against Sandie Peggie Credit: Getty 5 Ms Peggie was cleared of misgendering a male-born medic Dr Beth Upton Credit: Alamy NHS Fife issued a 1,700-word statement the day after the meeting alleging the nurse's lawyers used the media to discredit them in a furore over the use of female-only spaces at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. Last night, the Scottish Government insisted ministers were not consulted on the statement — and that board chiefs had not sought permission to release it. Asked if Mr Gray discussed the case at the July 17 meeting in Glenrothes — also attended by local MSP and Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth — a spokesman replied: 'No. Discussion at the meeting focused on NHS dental care in Fife.' Critics slammed Mr Gray for backing NHS bosses amid claims they are pursuing a witch hunt against Ms Peggie. She alleges victimisation at a tribunal which has so far cost taxpayers £220,000. Tories' equalities spokeswoman Tess White said: 'It beggars belief that Neil Gray didn't use this meeting to confront NHS Fife chiefs over their shocking handling of this case. 'He should have had the guts to demand they apologise to Sandie for the disgraceful way she's been treated. Instead, hours later, the health board churned out a shocking statement. It's time Neil Gray grew a backbone and demanded resignations.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Health Secretary met with NHS Fife to discuss dental care in the area.' We told how NHS Fife chiefs said they had called cops to probe trolls threatening staff with 'sexual violence' over the case. It said: 'Online debate has evolved into much more worrying behaviour.' Trans women are NOT women, Supreme Court rules in win for anti-woke campaigners after battle over female-only spaces But their statement was condemned by Information Commissioner David Hamilton. Scots Tory chief Russell Findlay has called for NHS Fife chief Carol Potter and the board to step down. 5 Tories' equalities spokeswoman Tess White Credit: Alamy


The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
Sandie Peggie: MSP urges probe into NHS Fife ‘vendetta'
Ms Peggie, who works in the emergency department at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, is suing the board and Dr Beth Upton after she was suspended for raising objections to the trans woman doctor's use of a female changing room on Christmas Eve 2023. She was suspended on January 3, 2024, after Dr Upton submitted a complaint alleging bullying and harassment. READ MORE The case has led to significant criticism of NHS Fife. The employment tribunal resumed earlier this month after a five-month break. Just hours before it restarted, Ms Peggie was cleared of all four gross misconduct allegations following a separate internal disciplinary hearing. The allegations included two patient care failures, "misgendering" Dr Upton, and her Christmas Eve encounter in the changing room. The disciplinary panel insufficient evidence to support a finding of misconduct, concluding the 18-month internal process. The health board's legal costs had reached £258,831.31 by June 30, 2025, and are expected to rise substantially. While NHS Fife is liable for only the first £25,000 under the NHS Scotland Central Legal Office indemnity scheme, the full cost will ultimately be met by the taxpayer. Just three days after the tribunal resumed, NHS Fife released a statement noting that staff involved had faced threats of "physical harm and sexual violence". The health board's initial 1,700-word press release, addressing what it described as "misinformation" around the case, referenced the CEO of Sex Matters, Maya Forstater, who has already given evidence, and the group's chair, barrister Naomi Cunningham, who is leading Ms Peggie's case. The next paragraph stated that while the case had attracted "significant and very polarised debate" on social media, "what began as debate has evolved into much more worrying behaviour, including a threat of physical harm and sexual violence, which has required the involvement of Police Scotland". Ms Peggie's barrister, Charlotte Elves, told the tribunal the board was suggesting Sex Matters' involvement had resulted in "worrying behaviour." "It is a matter of some concern that a party to proceedings seems to link a witness in these proceedings with the conduct of members of the public, including threats of physical violence," she added. The statement was later amended to say that "NHS Fife was not seeking to suggest that anyone involved with Sex Matters have contributed to the behaviour or issues mentioned above". It was then edited again to remove mention of Ms Cunningham and Ms Forstater. By last Monday, all reference to Sex Matters had been wiped. Ms Peggie's lawyers have asked Fife Health Board to "confirm the names of those individuals who signed off the statement". Speaking to The Herald on Sunday, Ms Mochan said she had serious concerns about the way the case had been handled. "The case is ongoing and we should let that play out," she said. "But I think it is clear that NHS Fife have let this get out of control and that certain individuals did not treat Ms Peggie with the respect she and all NHS staff deserve." READ MORE Ms Mochan also criticised the Scottish Government's response. "From the offset it was one of trying to evade responsibility," she said. "As the case has gone on, they have failed to recognise the very clear injustice that has taken place. "We have seen with the [Gender Recognition Reform] Bill that the SNP seem incapable of approaching this issue in a common sense way, and I think the First Minister needs to review the Government's approach because it is looking increasingly ideological rather than guided by the best interests of the people of Scotland." Ms Mochan said public bodies needed to be absolutely clear on what the law now requires following April's Supreme Court ruling that sex in the Equality Act refers to biological sex. "We have clear judgments now from the Supreme Court and in other cases as to the correct approach. All public bodies must adhere to this and ensure that all staff who are enforcing rules and regulations are absolutely clear about what they are. I have seen far too many complaints from across Scotland that such rules are being interpreted in drastically different ways — that should never be the case." She said she wanted the board to explain how it planned to ensure such a situation could not happen again. "I would like to see very clear proposals about how they will ensure this does not happen again and what consequences there will be for anyone found to have overstepped their responsibilities," she said. "To the general public, it appears that some may have pursued a vendetta against Ms Peggie — and as a staunch trade unionist I find that intolerable." Both John Swinney and his Health Secretary Neil Gray have insisted they have full confidence in NHS Fife. Ms Mochan said the health board pursued a vendetta against Ms Peggie Ms Mochan's Labour colleague, Fife MSP Claire Baker, has called for an inquiry into the health board's handling of the tribunal and has written to Mr Gray to ask him to launch a probe. The Courier reported that Ms Baker told The Fist Minister and Mr Gray that it is becoming "increasingly evident" there should be "robust scrutiny" of NHS Fife's senior management decision-making and the culture inside the health board. A Scottish Government spokeswoman said ministers have been clear they have confidence in the board, but added: "It would be inappropriate to comment further while judicial proceedings in an employment tribunal are ongoing." Asked if the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee could examine the case, Ms Mochan replied: "I agree with my colleague Claire Baker that there should be an inquiry into what went on, and as such it would be perfectly reasonable for the committee to also look into it." Last week, JK Rowling described Ms Peggie as a "heroine" and said NHS Fife had treated the nurse "abominably."