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Swinney's government should take 'immediate action' protecting women's rights, says Ash Regan
Swinney's government should take 'immediate action' protecting women's rights, says Ash Regan

Daily Record

time3 hours ago

  • Politics
  • Daily Record

Swinney's government should take 'immediate action' protecting women's rights, says Ash Regan

Alba MSP Ash Regan told the Sunday Mail it was time for the Scottish Government to stop hiding behind 'faux legal ambiguity' on single sex spaces. Ash Regan has demanded John Swinney's government stops hiding behind 'faux legal ambiguity' and enforce the law on women's rights to single sex spaces. ‌ The Alba MSP has accused ministers of being too cowardly to uphold their own law to protect women's rights and demanded the government take 'immediate action' or step aside. ‌ Her comments come amid an employment tribunal brought by nurse Sandie Peggie, who was suspended after complaining about having to share a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton, in 2023. ‌ First Minister John Swinney has previously said he has "confidence" in NHS Fife. However he faces growing pressure to intervene as legal costs spiral - including from his own MSPs Michelle Thomson and Annabelle Ewing, who have condemned the handling of the landmark case for which the taxpayer will pick up most of the bill. ‌ Regan has now demanded that Swinney show leadership by upholding the law which is clear and non-negotiable. She said: 'The law does not lack clarity; what we lack is courage in Government and a leadership that sets a clear tone for lawful, evidence-based policy across public life. 'While ministers hide behind faux legal ambiguity, women across Scotland are forced to share prisons, changing rooms, hospital wards, and crisis services with biological males, for some in deeply traumatic circumstances, all because ministers are too cowardly to apply the law they swore to uphold. ‌ 'The law is not negotiable and the Scottish Government could end this embarrassing, costly charade today by implementing the actual law into its public sector guidance.' In April, the Supreme Court ruled that a woman is defined by biological sex under equalities law. Interim guidance was published by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission following the ruling which said trans women 'should not be permitted to use the women's facilities' in workplaces or public-facing services. ‌ Regan said it was vital to uphold the law for the safeguarding of women and girls. She said: 'Scotland once again finds itself forced to fight government and government-funded institutions to enforce the law that already exists. 'For Women Scotland, in their seven-year battle against the redefinition of women, confirmed what many of us have said all along: gender self-identification is not the law, nor has it ever been. ‌ 'The UK Supreme Court in April this year clarified that sex in the Equality Act 2010 is biological and a Gender Recognition Certificate is not a magic key to override sex-based protections. 'The Supreme Court and the EHRC have brought this charade to a decisive conclusion; these policies were never lawful. 'This is not a debate about identity, it is a question of legality, safety, and safeguarding, especially for women and girls.' ‌ Last week NHS Fife published a statement online to 'defend' itself and wanted to answer questions posed by the press and politicians, addressing 'misinformation' online. The health board also confirmed that as of June 30, legal costs have increased to £258,831, including £38,000 in just one month. ‌ NHS Fife is liable for only the first £25,000. Regan has branded the government's reluctance to deliver clear guidance as a legal, financial and reputational disaster. She said: 'The public purse is haemorrhaging legal costs in courts and tribunals, while housing, healthcare and poverty are in crisis - we must see immediate action and accountability. ‌ 'Women's rights are not optional; they are obligations. 'I will not stand by while the rights of many, for privacy, dignity, safety and fairness, are trampled to appease the demands of a few. 'The Government's dithering has become a legal, financial and reputational disaster. The election is coming. It's time to lead - or step aside.' ‌ Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sandie was suspended from her job at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy in 2024 after she complained about having to share a changing room with Dr Upton. She was later placed on special leave after a complaint of bullying and harassment by Dr Upton, but was cleared by an NHS Fife investigation last week. ‌ Sandie launched a claim against Dr Upton and NHS Fife, citing the Equality Act 2010, including sexual harassment, harassment related to a protected belief, indirect discrimination and victimisation. In the four-page document, published online last week while evidence was being heard in the case, NHS Fife said police had to be called after staff faced threats of physical and sexual violence Scotland's information commissioner later criticised NHS Fife and said he may report the board to the Court of Session. Last week, it was reported that Sandie is taking legal action against her trade union, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), claiming it failed to support her after her suspension, which the union denies. The tribunal is expected to conclude at the end of July, with a decision made by the judge in the coming months.

Tory leader calls for resignations at NHS Fife over Sandie Peggie tribunal
Tory leader calls for resignations at NHS Fife over Sandie Peggie tribunal

North Wales Chronicle

time6 hours ago

  • Health
  • North Wales Chronicle

Tory leader calls for resignations at NHS Fife over Sandie Peggie tribunal

Ms Peggie was suspended from her job as an A&E nurse at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy in 2024 after complaining about having to share a changing room with trans medic Dr Beth Upton. Ms Peggie took the board to an employment tribunal which began earlier this year. But this week, Ms Peggie was cleared of a bullying and harassment complaint from Dr Upton, as the tribunal reconvened. Mr Findlay has called for NHS Fife chief executive Carol Potter to resign, along with the authority's board, and if they refuse, the Scottish Government should step in and sack them, he said. 'This ongoing slow-motion car crash from NHS Fife confirms that Carol Potter and her entire board can no longer remain in post,' the Scottish Tory leader said. 'In their zeal to embrace the SNP's bonkers belief in gender ideology, they were willing to destroy the career of a nurse and waste huge sums of taxpayers' money.' Mr Findlay claimed the board was 'smearing Sandie Peggie and the campaigners who have stood with her'. On Friday, the board released a lengthy statement claiming there had been a threat of 'physical harm and sexual violence' in relation to the tribunal, but clarified this is not believed to be related to any of Ms Peggie's supporters. An earlier version of the statement had referenced the involvement of the campaign group Sex Matters. 'The claimant's case is being supported by Sex Matters, whose chief executive officer and co-founder was called as a witness by the claimant in the earlier hearing. 'The claimant's barrister is also chair of Sex Matters. 'Other members of the organisation's 'advisory group' have provided commentary to the media on a number of occasions where no reference is made to their direct involvement.' The updated version of the statement removed reference to the group's involvement in the tribunal and inserted two notes saying the board 'is not seeking to suggest that Sex Matters have contributed to the behaviour or issues mentioned'. Mr Findlay added: 'John Swinney, Neil Gray and their SNP colleagues appear to be the only people left in Scotland who think this is OK. 'If the NHS Fife board won't do the right thing and quit, then they should be sacked.' A spokesperson for NHS Fife said: 'As this is an active legal case, it would be inappropriate to respond to these comments.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'It would be inappropriate to comment further while judicial proceedings in an employment tribunal are ongoing.'

Tory leader calls for resignations at NHS Fife over Sandie Peggie tribunal
Tory leader calls for resignations at NHS Fife over Sandie Peggie tribunal

South Wales Guardian

time6 hours ago

  • Health
  • South Wales Guardian

Tory leader calls for resignations at NHS Fife over Sandie Peggie tribunal

Ms Peggie was suspended from her job as an A&E nurse at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy in 2024 after complaining about having to share a changing room with trans medic Dr Beth Upton. Ms Peggie took the board to an employment tribunal which began earlier this year. But this week, Ms Peggie was cleared of a bullying and harassment complaint from Dr Upton, as the tribunal reconvened. Mr Findlay has called for NHS Fife chief executive Carol Potter to resign, along with the authority's board, and if they refuse, the Scottish Government should step in and sack them, he said. 'This ongoing slow-motion car crash from NHS Fife confirms that Carol Potter and her entire board can no longer remain in post,' the Scottish Tory leader said. 'In their zeal to embrace the SNP's bonkers belief in gender ideology, they were willing to destroy the career of a nurse and waste huge sums of taxpayers' money.' Mr Findlay claimed the board was 'smearing Sandie Peggie and the campaigners who have stood with her'. On Friday, the board released a lengthy statement claiming there had been a threat of 'physical harm and sexual violence' in relation to the tribunal, but clarified this is not believed to be related to any of Ms Peggie's supporters. An earlier version of the statement had referenced the involvement of the campaign group Sex Matters. 'The claimant's case is being supported by Sex Matters, whose chief executive officer and co-founder was called as a witness by the claimant in the earlier hearing. 'The claimant's barrister is also chair of Sex Matters. 'Other members of the organisation's 'advisory group' have provided commentary to the media on a number of occasions where no reference is made to their direct involvement.' The updated version of the statement removed reference to the group's involvement in the tribunal and inserted two notes saying the board 'is not seeking to suggest that Sex Matters have contributed to the behaviour or issues mentioned'. Mr Findlay added: 'John Swinney, Neil Gray and their SNP colleagues appear to be the only people left in Scotland who think this is OK. 'If the NHS Fife board won't do the right thing and quit, then they should be sacked.' A spokesperson for NHS Fife said: 'As this is an active legal case, it would be inappropriate to respond to these comments.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'It would be inappropriate to comment further while judicial proceedings in an employment tribunal are ongoing.'

Look out for the mafia with rainbow lanyards
Look out for the mafia with rainbow lanyards

Times

time7 hours ago

  • Health
  • Times

Look out for the mafia with rainbow lanyards

'N othing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.' Martin Luther King Jr said that, a man I'd hope Isla Bumba, NHS Fife's equality and human rights lead officer, had heard of, considering her job is improving diversity. Although given Bumba admitted last week that she wasn't entirely sure if she was a woman, it's probably best not to make assumptions. Bumba was testifying at Sandie Peggie's employment tribunal, and I must first explain Peggie before I get to Bumba. In December 2023, Peggie, an NHS nurse with more than 30 years of unblemished service, went into the women's changing room of Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy because she'd had a heavy period and bled through her scrubs. There, she was surprised to encounter a 6ft-tall 27-year-old male undressing in front of her. This male is now known as Dr Beth Upton, and he had started identifying as a woman only the year before.

Tory leader calls for resignations at NHS Fife over Sandie Peggie tribunal
Tory leader calls for resignations at NHS Fife over Sandie Peggie tribunal

Rhyl Journal

time9 hours ago

  • Health
  • Rhyl Journal

Tory leader calls for resignations at NHS Fife over Sandie Peggie tribunal

Ms Peggie was suspended from her job as an A&E nurse at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy in 2024 after complaining about having to share a changing room with trans medic Dr Beth Upton. Ms Peggie took the board to an employment tribunal which began earlier this year. But this week, Ms Peggie was cleared of a bullying and harassment complaint from Dr Upton, as the tribunal reconvened. Mr Findlay has called for NHS Fife chief executive Carol Potter to resign, along with the authority's board, and if they refuse, the Scottish Government should step in and sack them, he said. 'This ongoing slow-motion car crash from NHS Fife confirms that Carol Potter and her entire board can no longer remain in post,' the Scottish Tory leader said. 'In their zeal to embrace the SNP's bonkers belief in gender ideology, they were willing to destroy the career of a nurse and waste huge sums of taxpayers' money.' Mr Findlay claimed the board was 'smearing Sandie Peggie and the campaigners who have stood with her'. On Friday, the board released a lengthy statement claiming there had been a threat of 'physical harm and sexual violence' in relation to the tribunal, but clarified this is not believed to be related to any of Ms Peggie's supporters. An earlier version of the statement had referenced the involvement of the campaign group Sex Matters. 'The claimant's case is being supported by Sex Matters, whose chief executive officer and co-founder was called as a witness by the claimant in the earlier hearing. 'The claimant's barrister is also chair of Sex Matters. 'Other members of the organisation's 'advisory group' have provided commentary to the media on a number of occasions where no reference is made to their direct involvement.' The updated version of the statement removed reference to the group's involvement in the tribunal and inserted two notes saying the board 'is not seeking to suggest that Sex Matters have contributed to the behaviour or issues mentioned'. Mr Findlay added: 'John Swinney, Neil Gray and their SNP colleagues appear to be the only people left in Scotland who think this is OK. 'If the NHS Fife board won't do the right thing and quit, then they should be sacked.' A spokesperson for NHS Fife said: 'As this is an active legal case, it would be inappropriate to respond to these comments.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'It would be inappropriate to comment further while judicial proceedings in an employment tribunal are ongoing.'

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