Latest news with #Fife
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Workmate 'who couldn't stand' trans row nurse wanted her struck off, tribunal told
A nurse who shared an incriminating message sent by Sandie Peggie to a private group chat was accused of doing a 'hatchet job' on her former friend for NHS Fife health board. Lindsey Nicoll, who had holidayed several times with Ms Peggie along with others and were in a chat group with other colleagues had wanted her struck off, a tribunal heard. Ms Nicoll, an employment tribunal heard yesterday, captured a joke the 51-year-old had forwarded to the chat about the Pakistan floods and sent it on to the health board. And in a private exchange the NHS Fife worker said she hoped Ms Peggie would be struck off the nursing register. It came as part of another day of extraordinary evidence in the landmark employment tribunal which saw Ms Peggie come under further attack. Ms Peggie's barrister Naomi Cunningham told Ms Nicoll: 'The board was looking for somebody to do a hatchet job on Sandie Peggie's character and you were all too willing to step forward for that role, weren't you?' Ms Nicoll replied: 'Anybody was going to ask me for a statement I was going to be willing to do it.' Ms Peggie, who has an unblemished record, was suspended from work after challenging medic Dr Beth Upton, a trans-identifying male, in the changing room at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, on Christmas Eve 2023. The nurse sued NHS Fife and Dr Beth, 30, after claiming being made to get to get changed beside the doctor, who was born male, was unlawful. They are now locked in an increasingly bitter employment tribunal, with the latest string of hearings now entering their third week. The tribunal heard yesterday Ms Nicoll sent messages from the group chat she was in with a handful of other colleagues to the board. Messages showed Ms Peggie had forward a list of ten jokes about the Pakistan floods, which were described as 'racist' by Ms Nicoll. It was followed by a message which Ms Peggie said 'sorry folks if that makes me sound like a racist', to which Ms Nicoll reacted with a crying laughter emoji. But the witness, who admitted breaking patient confidentiality herself elsewhere in the chat, said she did not like the joke but was 'agreeing it makes [Ms Peggie] sound like a racist'. Cunningham, acting for Ms Peggie, said the witness was 'thoroughly hostile' to her client and it was 'fair to say you have got it in for her'. But the witness said she had not, with being hauled before the tribunal a 'complete nightmare' but something she felt 'strongly about and something I needed to do'. Messages from her revealed she wrote she 'could not stand' Ms Peggie, and said she 'should be struck off, I hope she is' Another said: 'If anyone was to ask me for a statement about Sandie's character I would do it, she should be struck off.' She rejected a claim she was trying to end Ms Peggie's career, and told the tribunal: 'I think it's important for people to understand Sandie's character - the bigoted racism, the bigotry that Sandie is all for, I don't think there is a place for it in nursing. I think we should be showing people compassion and empathy and respect, and I don't think Sandie does that.' Meanwhile, emergency nurse practitioner Fiona Wishart yesterday claimed Ms Peggie had made 'derogatory' remarks in the past. She claimed Ms Peggie at a lunch had claimed she had a 'a good mind to post bacon' through the letter box of a nearby mosque. Ms Cunningham put it to her that, in fact, it had been a paramedic who made the comment. The lawyer said the witness remembered it as an offensive thing to have said about the mosque and now she had 'attributed it to Sandie Peggie to make her look bad'. Ms Wishart, who has worked at the health board for 41 years, said she was at a dinner with Ms Peggie once when she made 'derogatory' remarks about Dr Upton. She said she could not remember the remarks herself but had been told that they were 'weirdo' and 'freak'.
The Independent
a day ago
- Health
- The Independent
Nurse called transgender doctor ‘weirdo' and ‘it', tribunal told
A former friend of nurse Sandie Peggie has alleged that she referred to a transgender doctor as 'it' and 'asked for pictures of that weirdo', a tribunal heard. Ms Peggie was suspended after she complained about having to share a changing-room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife, on Christmas Eve 2023. She was placed on special leave after Dr Upton made an allegation of bullying and harassment, and cited concerns about 'patient care'. Ms Peggie has lodged a claim against NHS Fife and Dr Upton, citing the Equality Act 2010, including sexual harassment; harassment related to a protected belief; indirect discrimination; and victimisation. Lindsey Nicoll, an emergency nurse practitioner who became friends with Ms Peggie in 2010 and began holidaying with her in 2017, said the veteran nurse would use racial slurs and posted jokes about floods in Pakistan which killed 3,000 people into a ' Benidorm group chat' in 2017. Ms Nicoll said that in 2024 the pair were at an airport when Ms Peggie allegedly saw a group of women wearing burkas and appeared 'disgusted', the tribunal heard. The witness said that after the trip she removed herself from the group chat and explained she 'wouldn't be spending time in Sandie's company'. Ms Nicoll alleged that at a lunch on September 4 2023, Ms Peggie referred to Dr Upton as 'it' and 'weirdo', the tribunal heard. Ms Nicoll said: 'I can distinctively remember her saying 'weirdo' at lunch.' She said that in February 2024 her ex-friend had posted in a group chat 'well it appears official, Sandie Peggie vs Beth Upton', and that Ms Peggie had inadvertently messaged someone in error 'asking for photos of that weirdo', the tribunal heard. Asked about a message sent by Ms Peggie which read 'can you post a picture of that weirdo', Ms Nicoll said: 'I obviously didn't realise the weirdo she was referring to was Beth.' She said that Dr Upton was mentioned at the lunch 'immediately', the tribunal heard. The witness said: 'She started talking about a doctor who had been working in A&E about three or four weeks, she was really angry about the doctor being there, referring to the doctor as 'weirdo'; 'it'; 'him'. 'I remember someone saying 'why can't you live and let live?' She seemed full of anger and hate about this doctor who she had only just met.' During cross-examination by Ms Peggie's lawyer, Naomi Cunningham, the witness agreed she was aware of allegations Dr Upton had 'caused chaos' in a previous job including allegedly complaining about being misgendered by dementia patients and admitted patient confidentiality could have been breached in the group chat, the tribunal heard. Ms Cunningham said: 'Do you agree your regulator places some stress on confidentiality, so sharing patient details, chatting about patients by name on a chat like this would be breach of regulations?' Ms Nicoll said: 'Yes, it would.' The witness provided 10 jokes shared by Ms Peggie regarding flooding in Pakistan, branding them 'racist', but admitted posting a laughing emoji when Ms Peggie posted saying 'Sorry folks if that makes me racist', the tribunal heard. Ms Nicoll said she may have 'enabled' Ms Peggie and that it was 'likely' she had behaved as alleged towards Dr Upton, describing her as 'rude' and 'bigoted', the court heard. Other users of the group chat posted jokes including about the adult baby diaper loving community, the tribunal heard. Ms Cunningham said: 'Do you disagree you were the only member of the Benidorm group who disagrees with Sandie's stance?' The witness said: 'My reason for feeling the way I do is to do with Sandie's views and how she likely behaved to the doctor. I accept everyone has got different views about being in a changing room with a transgender person.' The witness denied she was 'hostile' to Ms Peggie but added: 'It's something I certainly felt strongly about and felt I needed to do.' Messages written by Ms Nicoll were shared, including: 'She's a fanny who is going to end up with a massive payout, I hope she's struck off', and 'if anyone was to ask for statement about Sandie's character I would do it. She should be struck off, I hope she is', the tribunal heard. Ms Cunningham said she was 'attempting to end Sandie's career', but the witness said she felt there was no place for 'bigotry' in nursing. The witness said: 'I've watched her stare in disgust at people walking through an airport in burkas, I've heard her calling a transgender woman a weirdo, and I don't think it's acceptable, no.' She added: 'I think it's important for people to understand Sandie's character, the bigoted racism that Sandie is all for. I don't think there is a place for it in nursing. I think we should be showing people compassion and empathy, and respect, and I don't think Sandie does that.' Ms Peggie will be recalled at the hearing on Tuesday for further questions. The tribunal continues.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Sandie Peggie ‘wanted to post bacon through mosque letterbox', tribunal told
SANDIE Peggie allegedly told colleagues that she 'wanted to post bacon through the letterbox of a mosque', a tribunal has heard. The nurse was suspended after she complained about having to share a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife, on Christmas Eve 2023. She was placed on special leave after Dr Upton made an allegation of bullying and harassment, and cited concerns about 'patient care'. Peggie then lodged a claim against NHS Fife and Dr Upton, citing the Equality Act 2010, including sexual harassment; harassment related to a protected belief; indirect discrimination; and victimisation. READ MORE: On Monday, emergency nurse practitioner Fiona Wishart, who has worked for NHS Fife for 41 years, told the tribunal she heard Peggie making 'derogatory' remarks about Dr Upton at a lunch on September 4, 2023, and making 'offensive' comments about a mosque being built in the town. Wishart said: 'I was at a lunch with fellow colleagues. Sandie had made remarks about Beth at the lunch, derogatory remarks.' She said she had forgotten details but was told the comments were 'weirdo', 'freak' and 'it', although she also said those terms were not used at the lunch, the tribunal heard. Wishart added: 'I've heard her make derogatory remarks regarding people of other ethnic origins and people of other sexual orientations … referring to people as 'immigrants who need to go back to their own country', and 'come over here to steal our jobs'. 'These are opinions that don't align with mine.' Wishart said that at the same lunch, Peggie had commented on a new mosque being built in Fife, and 'made reference to the fact she had a good mind to post bacon through their letterbox', the tribunal heard. Wishart added: 'I specifically remember it because I found it offensive.' Counsel for both respondents, Jane Russell KC, said: 'When she said that, how did others respond?' Wishart said: 'I can't remember, but she made derogatory remarks about Beth, and my colleague that was at the lunch, Lindsey Nicoll, responded, but I can't remember what she said.' Russell asked: 'Did it go beyond 'weirdo', 'freak', and 'it'?' The witness said: 'No, I don't think so.' On Monday, the tribunal also heard that Peggie's legal team were contacted at the weekend by a witness who shared her objections over sharing a changing room with Dr Upton and 'found the courage to come forward'. The team said it had also been contacted by another potential witness. Peggie's barrister, Naomi Cunningham, described the case as 'extraordinary', and 'the first case in which the practical working out of the implications of For Women Scotland judgment will have to be addressed in relation to single-sex spaces'. She said that the way Peggie had been treated by NHS Fife had 'frightened off' other potential witnesses who shared her views, and that the nurse 'has been the only one to find the courage to speak up' until a new witness came forward. The tribunal continues.
The Independent
a day ago
- Health
- The Independent
Gender row nurse ‘wanted to post bacon through mosque letterbox', tribunal told
A gender critical nurse allegedly told colleagues that she 'wanted to post bacon through the letterbox of a mosque', a tribunal has heard. Nurse Sandie Peggie was suspended after she complained about having to share a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife, on Christmas Eve 2023. She was placed on special leave after Dr Upton made an allegation of bullying and harassment, and cited concerns about ' patient care '. Ms Peggie has lodged a claim against NHS Fife and Dr Upton, citing the Equality Act 2010, including sexual harassment; harassment related to a protected belief; indirect discrimination; and victimisation. On Monday, the tribunal also heard that Ms Peggie's legal team were contacted at the weekend by a witness who shared her objections over sharing a changing room with Dr Upton and 'found the courage to come forward'. The team had also been contacted by another potential witness. Ms Peggie's barrister, Naomi Cunningham, described the case as 'extraordinary', and 'the first case in which the practical working out of the implications of For Women Scotland judgment will have to be addressed in relation to single-sex spaces'. She said that the way Ms Peggie had been treated by NHS Fife had 'frightened off' other potential witnesses who shared her views, and that the nurse 'has been the only one to find the courage to speak up' until a new witness came forward. Ms Cunningham said: 'The truth is, we have known of many others. Ms Peggie's evidence is … lots of people agree. The difficulty is persuading anyone to come forward and tell the tribunal. That difficulty is because of the price of speaking up on these issues in NHS Fife.' She added: 'To this point she has been the single individual; there have been many, but she has been the only one to find the courage to speak up.' On Monday, emergency nurse practitioner Fiona Wishart, who has worked for NHS Fife for 41 years, told the tribunal she heard Ms Peggie making 'derogatory' remarks about Dr Upton at a lunch on September 4 2023, and making 'offensive' comments about a mosque being built in the town, the tribunal heard. Ms Wishart said: 'I was at a lunch with fellow colleagues. Sandie had made remarks about Beth at the lunch, derogatory remarks.' She said she had forgotten details but was told the comments were 'weirdo', 'freak' and 'it', although she also said those terms were not used at the lunch, the tribunal heard. Ms Wishart said: 'I've heard her make derogatory remarks regarding people of other ethnic origins and people of other sexual orientations… referring to people as 'immigrants who need to go back to their own country', and 'come over here to steal our jobs'. 'These are opinions that don't align with mine.' Ms Wishart said that at the same lunch, Ms Peggie had commented on a new mosque being built in Fife, and 'made reference to the fact she had a good mind to post bacon through their letterbox', the tribunal heard. Ms Wishart added: 'I specifically remember it because I found it offensive.' Counsel for both respondents, Jane Russell KC, said: 'When she said that, how did others respond?' Ms Wishart said: 'I can't remember, but she made derogatory remarks about Beth, and my colleague that was at the lunch, Lindsey Nicoll, responded, but I cant remember what she said.' Ms Russell asked: 'Did it go beyond 'weirdo', 'freak', and 'it'?' The witness said: 'No, I don't think so.' The tribunal continues.
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
The future of Scotch whisky lies in the hands of a sober American president
FIFE, SCOTLAND — Drew McKenzie-Smith was working as a chef in northwest England when a man knocked on his father's door with news: A scroll from a long-dead king recorded the earliest known mention of Scottish whisky, and it was traced to the ruins of a monastery next door. McKenzie-Smith, now 61, did his research, took a risk and built a distillery — entering a global industry subject to the shifting tides of war and diplomacy to honor his family and heritage.
