Tory leader calls for resignations at NHS Fife over Sandie Peggie tribunal
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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Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
NHS consultant admits 'flagrant breach of confidentiality' during Sandie Peggie gender dispute
Dr Kate Searle was. on the stand at a. tribunal. A consultant sobbed as she spoke about her involvement in a dispute between a transgender doctor and a gender-critical nurse - as well as admitting a "flagrant breach of confidentiality", a tribunal heard. Sandie Peggie was suspended after she complained about having to share a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton at Victoria Hospital, 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 Wednesday, consultant Dr Kate Searle admitted she sought out a witness to patient safety allegations made by Dr Upton, which occurred previously in December 2023 but were unreported. Dr Searle sobbed when the woman was mentioned and alleged that the healthcare worker "did not want to be involved in this for fear that, as a mixed race person, she feared Ms Peggie's views about her race would affect her going forward working in our department with Ms Peggie". 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. During cross-examination by Ms Peggie's barrister, Naomi Cunningham, Dr Searle admitted she had not been subject to disciplinary proceedings for it. Dr Searle agreed that the witness was "the only person who was likely to be able to shed light on Dr Upton's claim that Ms Peggie refused to engage", in a resuscitation unit, however, she argued with Ms Cunningham about the woman's recollection of the incident. Ms Cunningham said the healthcare worker "gave a clear answer that factually contradicted Dr Upton, as she said she recalled a conversation between Beth and Sandie, although couldn't recall details", during an internal probe, the tribunal heard. However, Dr Searle argued three times about the witness's recollection and concluded that the healthcare worker was "contradicting herself", and said twice that she could not "recall when it happened". She said she "couldn't recall" when she spoke to the healthcare worker, and admitted sending an email to 19 consultants on December 29 2023, describing the comments allegedly made by Ms Peggie as "questioning her (Dr Upton's) whole being" the tribunal heard. Ms Cunningham asked if the doctor got in touch with the investigation manager to "confess that you had left confidentiality in ruins" with an email to 19 consultants sent on December 29 2023, regarding the dispute which offered "support" to Dr Upton and to "condemn the actions" of Ms Peggie. Dr Searle said: "I did not." She denied attempting to "bend the rules and transgress boundaries" by accompanying the junior doctor to an investigation meeting, and was accused by Ms Cunningham of "turning up the temperature and increasing the emotional heat of the Datix report", the tribunal heard. Datix is a system used in healthcare settings to report incidents and manage risk, with a view to improving care. Dr Searle said: "I reported it at time as I saw fit." Ms Cunningham said: "If the normal rules had been followed you wouldn't have been allowed to be present for Dr Upton's interview." It was put to her that approaching a witness was a "flagrant breach" of confidentiality. Dr Searle said: "In hindsight, yes." The barrister said priorities were "surprising", and added: "It seems you were more shocked by Sandie's refusal to play along with the pretence Dr Upton is a woman than about allegations of abandoning patients in resuscitation." Dr Searle said: "We didn't initially see they were big patient safety issues but, once it was all reported, we see they are." She admitted adding the word "rapist" to a Datix report although Dr Upton's account referred to a comment about prisons, the tribunal heard. Ms Cunningham said: "You have added the word 'rapist' to the Datix haven't you?" Dr Searle said: "What makes that comment so offensive and intimidating is the inference it is like Isla Bryson who is convicted male rapist, which is why its important to mention that on Datix." She told the tribunal: "I would not have known what sex Dr Upton was assigned at birth." The consultant said she believed Ms Peggie had been cleared during a disciplinary "due to lack of evidence", and "believed and still do, that this was a hate incident", the tribunal heard. The tribunal continues.
South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Consultant admits ‘flagrant breach of confidentiality' in Peggie gender dispute
Sandie Peggie was suspended after she complained about having to share a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton at Victoria Hospital, 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 Wednesday, consultant Dr Kate Searle admitted she sought out a witness to patient safety allegations made by Dr Upton, which occurred previously in December 2023 but were unreported. Dr Searle sobbed when the woman was mentioned and alleged that the healthcare worker 'did not want to be involved in this for fear that, as a mixed race person, she feared Ms Peggie's views about her race would affect her going forward working in our department with Ms Peggie'. During cross-examination by Ms Peggie's barrister, Naomi Cunningham, Dr Searle admitted she had not been subject to disciplinary proceedings for it. Dr Searle agreed that the witness was 'the only person who was likely to be able to shed light on Dr Upton's claim that Ms Peggie refused to engage', in a resuscitation unit, however, she argued with Ms Cunningham about the woman's recollection of the incident. Ms Cunningham said the healthcare worker 'gave a clear answer that factually contradicted Dr Upton, as she said she recalled a conversation between Beth and Sandie, although couldn't recall details', during an internal probe, the tribunal heard. However, Dr Searle argued three times about the witness's recollection and concluded that the healthcare worker was 'contradicting herself', and said twice that she could not 'recall when it happened'. She said she 'couldn't recall' when she spoke to the healthcare worker, and admitted sending an email to 19 consultants on December 29 2023, describing the comments allegedly made by Ms Peggie as 'questioning her (Dr Upton's) whole being' the tribunal heard. Ms Cunningham asked if the doctor got in touch with the investigation manager to 'confess that you had left confidentiality in ruins' with an email to 19 consultants sent on December 29 2023, regarding the dispute which offered 'support' to Dr Upton and to 'condemn the actions' of Ms Peggie. Dr Searle said: 'I did not.' She denied attempting to 'bend the rules and transgress boundaries' by accompanying the junior doctor to an investigation meeting, and was accused by Ms Cunningham of 'turning up the temperature and increasing the emotional heat of the Datix report', the tribunal heard. Datix is a system used in healthcare settings to report incidents and manage risk, with a view to improving care. Dr Searle said: 'I reported it at time as I saw fit.' Ms Cunningham said: 'If the normal rules had been followed you wouldn't have been allowed to be present for Dr Upton's interview.' It was put to her that approaching a witness was a 'flagrant breach' of confidentiality. Dr Searle said: 'In hindsight, yes.' The barrister said priorities were 'surprising', and added: 'It seems you were more shocked by Sandie's refusal to play along with the pretence Dr Upton is a woman than about allegations of abandoning patients in resuscitation.' Dr Searle said: 'We didn't initially see they were big patient safety issues but, once it was all reported, we see they are.' She admitted adding the word 'rapist' to a Datix report although Dr Upton's account referred to a comment about prisons, the tribunal heard. Ms Cunningham said: 'You have added the word 'rapist' to the Datix haven't you?' Dr Searle said: 'What makes that comment so offensive and intimidating is the inference it is like Isla Bryson who is convicted male rapist, which is why its important to mention that on Datix.' She told the tribunal: 'I would not have known what sex Dr Upton was assigned at birth.' The consultant said she believed Ms Peggie had been cleared during a disciplinary 'due to lack of evidence', and 'believed and still do, that this was a hate incident', the tribunal heard. The tribunal continues.
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Consultant admits ‘flagrant breach of confidentiality' in Peggie gender dispute
Sandie Peggie was suspended after she complained about having to share a changing room with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton at Victoria Hospital, 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 Wednesday, consultant Dr Kate Searle admitted she sought out a witness to patient safety allegations made by Dr Upton, which occurred previously in December 2023 but were unreported. Dr Searle sobbed when the woman was mentioned and alleged that the healthcare worker 'did not want to be involved in this for fear that, as a mixed race person, she feared Ms Peggie's views about her race would affect her going forward working in our department with Ms Peggie'. During cross-examination by Ms Peggie's barrister, Naomi Cunningham, Dr Searle admitted she had not been subject to disciplinary proceedings for it. Dr Searle agreed that the witness was 'the only person who was likely to be able to shed light on Dr Upton's claim that Ms Peggie refused to engage', in a resuscitation unit, however, she argued with Ms Cunningham about the woman's recollection of the incident. Ms Cunningham said the healthcare worker 'gave a clear answer that factually contradicted Dr Upton, as she said she recalled a conversation between Beth and Sandie, although couldn't recall details', during an internal probe, the tribunal heard. However, Dr Searle argued three times about the witness's recollection and concluded that the healthcare worker was 'contradicting herself', and said twice that she could not 'recall when it happened'. She said she 'couldn't recall' when she spoke to the healthcare worker, and admitted sending an email to 19 consultants on December 29 2023, describing the comments allegedly made by Ms Peggie as 'questioning her (Dr Upton's) whole being' the tribunal heard. Ms Cunningham asked if the doctor got in touch with the investigation manager to 'confess that you had left confidentiality in ruins' with an email to 19 consultants sent on December 29 2023, regarding the dispute which offered 'support' to Dr Upton and to 'condemn the actions' of Ms Peggie. Dr Searle said: 'I did not.' She denied attempting to 'bend the rules and transgress boundaries' by accompanying the junior doctor to an investigation meeting, and was accused by Ms Cunningham of 'turning up the temperature and increasing the emotional heat of the Datix report', the tribunal heard. Datix is a system used in healthcare settings to report incidents and manage risk, with a view to improving care. Dr Searle said: 'I reported it at time as I saw fit.' Ms Cunningham said: 'If the normal rules had been followed you wouldn't have been allowed to be present for Dr Upton's interview.' It was put to her that approaching a witness was a 'flagrant breach' of confidentiality. Dr Searle said: 'In hindsight, yes.' The barrister said priorities were 'surprising', and added: 'It seems you were more shocked by Sandie's refusal to play along with the pretence Dr Upton is a woman than about allegations of abandoning patients in resuscitation.' Dr Searle said: 'We didn't initially see they were big patient safety issues but, once it was all reported, we see they are.' She admitted adding the word 'rapist' to a Datix report although Dr Upton's account referred to a comment about prisons, the tribunal heard. Ms Cunningham said: 'You have added the word 'rapist' to the Datix haven't you?' Dr Searle said: 'What makes that comment so offensive and intimidating is the inference it is like Isla Bryson who is convicted male rapist, which is why its important to mention that on Datix.' She told the tribunal: 'I would not have known what sex Dr Upton was assigned at birth.' The consultant said she believed Ms Peggie had been cleared during a disciplinary 'due to lack of evidence', and 'believed and still do, that this was a hate incident', the tribunal heard. The tribunal continues.
