Tribunal Rejects Sandie Peggie’s Discrimination Claims Against Nursing Union

An employment tribunal has dismissed all three discrimination claims brought by nurse Sandie Peggie against the Royal College of Nursing over the support it provided during her dispute with NHS Fife.

Peggie alleged that the union had failed to advise her properly, refused to fund legal assistance for a further claim and did not seek sufficient assurances from NHS Fife about single-sex changing facilities. She argued that its actions were influenced by her gender-critical beliefs, which are protected under the Equality Act 2010.

The tribunal accepted that Peggie held a protected philosophical belief but found insufficient evidence that it had influenced the RCN’s decisions. It concluded that union representatives had followed established processes, including when refusing further legal support because Peggie had already instructed independent lawyers.

The case arose from Peggie’s workplace dispute after she objected to sharing a changing room with transgender doctor Beth Upton at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. A separate tribunal previously upheld some harassment claims against NHS Fife but rejected Peggie’s other allegations, including all claims made personally against Upton.

The RCN welcomed the latest ruling and said its staff had applied the same procedures used for all members. Peggie’s representatives criticised the decision and said her legal team would consider whether further action was available.

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