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BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Trans tribunal nurse accused of wanting to "post bacon" to mosque
The nurse at the centre of a tribunal involving a transgender doctor allegedly told colleagues she wanted to post bacon through the letterbox of a local Peggie made the comment at a work lunch with colleagues, along with other remarks insulting transgender people, according to testimony from Fiona Wishart, another nurse with NHS Fife. According to another colleague Ms Peggie shared racist jokes in a WhatsApp chat regarding the flooding that killed thousands in Pakistan in 2022. Ms Peggie is to return on Tuesday to give additional evidence in the tribunal, at the request of her legal team. The nurse was suspended by NHS Fife in January 2024 following a row with Dr Beth Upton regarding the doctor being allowed in a women's changing has since lodged a claim against NHS Fife and Dr Upton, citing the Equality Act Wishart, who has worked for NHS Fife for 41 years, told the tribunal Ms Peggie's comment regarding a mosque in Kirkcaldy was made on 4 September 2023. She said Ms Peggie said "she had a good mind to post bacon through their letterbox" and that the comment stood out in her mind because it was Peggie's lawyer Naomi Cunningham suggested the comment had been made several years previously by a male paramedic, and Ms Wishart was choosing to falsely attribute it to Ms denied this, and said it was definitely the nurse who made the said other comments regarding Dr Upton were made at the lunch, but could not recall the details of what words were other colleagues had told her Ms Peggie had referred to Dr Upton as "weirdo", "freak" and "it". Later testimony by nurse Lindsey Nicoll said Ms Peggie had used those terms in conversation and in a WhatsApp chat for a group of nurses who sometimes holidayed to messages from the chat, Dr Upton's looks were mocked and was referred to as having a "pathetic voice" by Ms Peggie in the Nicoll said she believed the comments were "disrespectful" and made her feel added her main concern was with how Ms Peggie expressed her Cunningham suggested it was "not wholly unfair" to call Dr Upton a "weirdo", and that if any man walked into the women's changing rooms they would "be considered a voyeur" and therefore it would be reasonable to suggest they were what the lawyer called a creep or a weirdo. This was in reference to an incident where Ms Peggie had messaged a colleague's husband by accident and asked for a picture of "the weirdo", thinking she was messaging a different colleague. The husband then replied with a picture of his wife in a fancy dress costume, an incident that annoyed her and led to the wife complaining about Ms Peggie to Ms Nicoll. Pakistan flooding The tribunal also heard Ms Peggie posted racist jokes in the chat referencing flooding in Pakistan. Among the comments were "what goes around comes around – Pakistan has been flooding Britain for years" and crude jokes about Asian Cunningham asked why Ms Nicoll had not criticised her at the time. She replied that she wished she had remonstrated with lawyer asked if Ms Nicoll's actions in speaking to the tribunal were due to her "having it in" for Ms Peggie, referencing a text message from Ms Nicoll saying she hoped Ms Peggie would be struck off. She denied this claim, and said she was giving testimony so people could "understand Sandie's character" and that there was no place for "bigotry in nursing."Ms Wishart had also alleged Ms Peggie made racial remarks, particularly regarding immigrants.A previous session of the tribunal had seen texts sent by Ms Peggie where she complained that "everyone stands up for the minority", referencing Dr Upton. Timeline of the Sandie Peggie tribunal Other chat messages involved discussing Imane Khelif, who won women's welterweight gold at the Paris Olympics last year amid a row over gender Nicoll also said Ms Peggie spoke to her after a family member came out as said: "She was devastated about a family member being gay and asked me 'how I coped with two family members being gay'.Ms Nicoll said the use of coping suggested Ms Peggie was upset about her family member being Cunningham suggested being upset was a "reasonable" reaction to the news as various reasons could cause it, such as fear of relatives suffering homophobia. Extra witnesses Earlier the tribunal panel agreed for further witnesses to appear on Tuesday, with a timescale described as "extremely tight".Ms Peggie's legal team said gender critical group Sex Matters were contacted at the weekend by a witness who shared the nurse's objections over sharing a changing room with Dr Upton and "found the courage to come forward".A representative of Sex Matters has now been called to discuss this evidence. The team had also been contacted by another potential Cunningham 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 judge Sandy Kemp said the Tuesday schedule - which will also feature cross-examination of Dr Maggie Currer, a consultant in emergency medicine – was the only way to ensure all evidence was heard without extending the tribunal any further.
The Independent
2 days 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
2 days 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
2 days 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.
Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Times
Trans doctor altered notes after changing room row, tribunal told
A transgender doctor edited notes on a phone to add patient safety concerns about a nurse hours after she challenged the doctor's right to use female changing rooms, a tribunal has been told. A landmark employment tribunal had previously been told that Beth Upton kept contemporaneous notes of interactions with Sandie Peggie, including claims that she had put patient safety at risk by failing to communicate with her senior colleague. Peggie is suing the health board for discrimination and harassment due to having to share a single-sex changing room with Upton, who was born male but now identifies as a woman. Peggie was suspended from work for several months after she confronted the doctor in women's changing rooms in Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, on Christmas Eve, 2023.
