Nurse files new Equality Act claim against NHS Fife as tribunal battle deepens
Sandie Peggie, the nurse at the centre of a bitter employment row over trans rights in the workplace, has launched a new legal claim against NHS Fife, accusing the health board of further harassment and victimisation.
The action comes on top of her ongoing tribunal case with the organisation and fellow medic Dr Beth Upton, which began earlier this year. Ms Peggie, who was suspended after a confrontation with Dr Upton in a female changing room on Christmas Eve 2023, says senior figures at the health board acted unlawfully under the Equality Act 2010.
Her latest claim, formally raised on 6 August, targets three senior staff: Dr Kate Searle, Dr Maggie Currer and Esther Davidson. The allegation centres on their opposition to a decision by another manager to lift her suspension in March 2024. According to Ms Peggie’s legal team, she only became aware of this intervention when the suspension review manager gave evidence during the tribunal in July.
Solicitor Margaret Gribbon, who represents Ms Peggie, confirmed the fresh proceedings would cover both NHS Fife and the three named employees. “All four respondents’ legal defences to the claim are expected to be received within the next fortnight,” she said. Ms Gribbon added that the case alleged harassment and victimisation, and warned that further actions were likely in the months ahead.
Embed from Getty ImagesAmong the additional claims under preparation are matters connected to an internal disciplinary hearing and a controversial public statement released by NHS Fife in July. That statement, issued while evidence was still being heard in the tribunal, claimed the case had triggered threats of physical harm and sexual violence against staff.
The four-page document also set out the costs of the tribunal, sparking widespread criticism. Scotland’s Information Commissioner, David Hamilton, later condemned NHS Fife’s decision to release the statement, describing it as irresponsible and potentially unsafe.
Junior counsel Charlotte Elves, acting for Ms Peggie at the tribunal, said at the time that the statement had caused “serious concern” and should never have been made public while proceedings were under way.
NHS Fife has been asked to disclose who authorised the release of the document, but Ms Gribbon said no names had yet been provided. She confirmed her client was also considering taking legal action against individuals responsible for approving its publication.
The dispute first erupted when Ms Peggie clashed with Dr Upton at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, over the use of the hospital’s female changing facilities. The row quickly escalated into an employment tribunal case, which began in February this year. More than 15 witnesses have since given evidence, including the three senior managers now facing claims of their own.
Ms Peggie maintains that she has been targeted for holding gender-critical beliefs, which are legally protected under the Equality Act 2010. She alleges that NHS Fife failed to protect her rights and instead punished her by suspending her and pursuing disciplinary measures.
NHS Fife has consistently denied that its handling of the case amounted to harassment or victimisation. In a statement, a spokesperson confirmed the existence of the new tribunal proceedings: “NHS Fife will provide a formal response to this additional claim in due course.”
The legal battle now promises to intensify, with Ms Peggie preparing multiple lines of attack against both the health board and individual managers. While the original tribunal continues to run its course, the additional claims have raised the stakes in a dispute that has already drawn national attention and stirred fierce debate over workplace rights, gender identity, and the limits of free belief.