Latest news with #EmploymentTribunal
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
John Swinney: 'I have confidence in NHS Fife despite Sandie Peggie row'
John Swinney has 'confidence' in NHS Fife despite Sandie Peggie being cleared of gross misconduct allegations. The First Minister told LBC News he expected the under fire health board to get on with the job of providing services to patients in Fife. Hours before the employment tribunal began, Kirkcaldy nurse Ms Peggie was cleared of four disciplinary charges made against her. She was being investigated after Dr Beth Upton, a trans doctor, accused her of a "hate incident" and patient safety breaches following a changing room confrontation at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. Ms Peggie's solicitor Margaret Gribbon said her client was "delighted" at the conclusion of the 18-month internal process. High profile figures have called on the leadership at NHS Fife to resign, including former SNP health secretary Alex Neil. He said it was "unacceptable" that NHS Fife had already spent in the region of £220,000 on the legal dispute. But Mr Swinney would not do the same when asked by LBC News. Read more: Sandie Peggie cleared of gross misconduct allegations Sandie Peggie Employment Tribunal: The story so far Who's who in the Sandie Peggie employment tribunal Why we can learn from Darlington nurses in Sandie Peggie and NHS Fife row He said: "NHS Fife have got important work to undertake to deliver health care, to deliver health care effectively to the people of Fife. 'That's what I expect them to do and that is what they're doing.' He added: 'I have confidence in the board of NHS Fife. They have got to get on with delivering health services for the people of Fife.' The First Minister added: 'There has been an internal disciplinary process that has reached its conclusion and it's important when ever issues of this type are taken forward that there is a fair process put in place that respects the interests of absolutely every party in these circumstances. 'That has happened here and it's reached its conclusion. There is a separate process underway which is the employment tribunal that has been brought forward by Sandie Peggie. 'It is up to NHS Fife to determine NHS Fife to determine how to approach that particular issue and how to handle that and the must take cognisance of all of the obligations and issues of the process as they do so.' NEW: John Swinney says he still has confidence in the board of NHS Fife. @LBC asked him if he thought the board should call it quits at the tribunal after the internal disciplinary against Sandie Peggie cleared her of allegations of gross misconduct @LBCNewsScot l @LBCNews — @GinaDavidson (@ginadavidsonlbc) July 16, 2025 The employment tribunal resumed on Wednesday morning despite the significant development. Evidence has been heard by Isla Bumba, who is NHS Fife's Equalities and Human Rights Lead Officer. She advised Dr Upton had a "right" to use the female changing rooms because the medic "identifies as a woman". But she admitted the health board did not have its own policy on trans inclusion and instead "Googled" the guidance of other health boards, including Lanarkshire and Highlands. Kirkcaldy nurse Sandie Peggie. (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire) Ms Peggie was suspended following Dr Upton's complaint about a confrontation on Christmas Eve. The nurse had experienced a sudden heavy period and was worried she had bled through her scrubs. When she went to the changing room and found Dr Upton there, she stated that, in her view, the medic was a man and should not be in the space. The specific words exchanged between the two are disputed. Ms Peggie was placed on special leave on December 30, 2023, and formally suspended on January 4, 2024, following the complaint. During the investigation, further allegations were made against Ms Peggie, raising 'clear fitness to practise questions'. These included a claim she 'walked out of a resuscitation unit when Dr Upton entered, leaving a patient unseen'. Another allegation involved a 'missing patient incident' on December 18, 2023, in which a patient was triaged and left the hospital without being seen. Dr Upton noted that Ms Peggie 'did not acknowledge my presence'. In a statement, NHS Fife said there was "insufficient evidence" to support any misconduct accusations against Ms Peggie. A spokeswoman confirmed the internal conduct hearing had concluded. The statement said: "After reviewing the evidence presented, including written submissions and witness testimony, the panel found that there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of misconduct. While no formal sanctions have been imposed, the panel concluded that a facilitated reflective practice discussion would be appropriate. "NHS Fife acknowledges that this was a complex and sensitive matter, and we are satisfied that the process has been appropriately followed and is now concluded. We remain committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and safe working environment for all of our staff and patients. "As this matter relates to an individual member of staff, NHS Fife will not be making any further comment on the outcome."
The Herald Scotland
09-07-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
NHS Fife release of Sandie Peggie costs raises questions
It is bizarre behaviour. You could almost understand it if there was an attempt at some form of spin doctoring, an Alastair Campbell-like bid to control the story. But there was no control. After months of saying they could not possibly release the costs, they just did. READ MORE So why? Well, last week, it emerged that senior staff at the health board had accused David Hamilton, the Information Commissioner, of being "emotional", "selective" and "not professional" over his decision to rebuke them for withholding the costs. We know this because the board mistakenly sent the comments to the mum of a patient, who then passed them on to the Mail on Sunday. An NHS Fife spokesman later said it "fully respects the role and authority of the Scottish Information Commissioner," but I am not so sure. The paper's report was humiliating for the board. So could this be some petty attempt to try and undermine Hamilton? I know that is a ridiculous thing to suggest of a serious public body, but this is an organisation that has repeatedly failed to act professionally. The Employment Tribunal was supposed to have concluded in February after ten days but was extended, in part because the health board did not hand over documentation it had been ordered to provide by the Employment Judge. And in the paperwork it handed over late, there were suddenly names and people and events that Ms Peggie's legal team had never come across. For example, Dr Kate Searle, who was Dr Upton's supervisor. Her involvement in the row had not been in any of the pre-tribunal disclosure documents. She is now the third respondent in the case. There are also questions over the impact assessment on trans staff using single-sex facilities. Under the Equality Act 2010 and the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (as amended), public bodies have "a duty to assess and review proposed new or revised policies or practices." In February, The Herald reported that Ms Peggie's legal team had already asked for a copy of any relevant assessments in August 2023 while preparing for the tribunal. When asked "whether an Equality Impact Assessment or risk assessment was undertaken before the decision" to allow Dr Upton to use the female changing room, the health board simply replied: "No." There are other issues which will be explored in full next week when the tribunal resumes. But ultimately this is a tribunal that should not be happening. This is a situation that should have been avoided, could have been avoided. But that would have required some professionalism from the higher-ups at NHS Fife. Back in February, Health Secretary Neil Gray said he had full confidence in the management of NHS Fife. I wonder if he still does.
The Herald Scotland
09-07-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
NHS Fife reveals £220k legal bill in Sandie Peggie tribunal
It simply said: 'NHS Fife can confirm that, as of 31 May 2025, a total of £220,465.93 has been incurred in legal costs relating to an ongoing Employment Tribunal case brought against the board. This figure includes Counsel fees and services provided by NHS Scotland's Central Legal Office. 'These costs will be reclaimed through the national Clinical Negligence and Other Risks Indemnity Scheme (CNORIS). Under CNORIS, NHS Fife's financial liability is limited to £25,000, which ensures that the legal proceedings do not impact frontline clinical or patient services. 'NHS Fife is not in a position to estimate the full cost of proceedings while the Tribunal remains ongoing.' More to follow...
Time Business News
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Time Business News
Online Harassment Extends Beyond Social Media to Courtrooms
Online harassment has taken a new form — from Twitter spats to courtroom battles, with taxpayers footing the bill. In a cold February last year, a quiet morning outside Glasgow's Employment Tribunal building was interrupted by a man joining a court hearing via video call. John Robertson, who has portrayed himself as a whistleblower, found himself facing the legal consequences of his actions. His lawsuit, which had been dismissed earlier for missing deadlines, was finally thrown out. Robertson had previously signed away his rights to sue, a fact that he overlooked. This case, although dismissed, cost taxpayers as court resources were used and the reputations of several individuals and organizations were tarnished. Robertson's story is not unique. In fact, he is part of a growing trend where digital provocateurs turn social media feuds into legal battles, often at the expense of others. These lawsuits may be dismissed early on, but the reputational damage is often irreversible. Legal fees, cancelled contracts, and public shaming are the immediate consequences, long before any judge makes a final ruling. Robertson's legal troubles are a direct result of his online behavior. Banned from platforms like LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) for violating terms of service, Robertson resorted to court threats. His posts, which accuse public figures and organizations of serious crimes with little to no evidence, are often met with defamation lawsuits. Despite being labelled as a conspiracy theorist, Robertson's actions continue to harm those he targets. His case is emblematic of the new kind of online harassment, where malicious claims are made under the guise of legal action. A prominent barrister described Robertson's tactics as attempts to use the courtroom as a platform for harassment. The real issue isn't the frivolous lawsuits but the damage caused by these baseless accusations in the public eye. Robertson isn't alone in exploiting the courtroom for personal vendettas. Another example is Craig Wright, who claimed to be the creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto. When his claims were questioned, Wright filed lawsuits against critics, including developers and podcasters. After years of costly litigation, his claim was debunked, but not before leaving behind a trail of legal costs and reputational damage. Similarly, Tommy Robinson, the founder of the far-right English Defence League, turned a personal altercation into a defamation campaign against a Syrian refugee. Robinson's accusations were proven false, and he was ordered to pay substantial damages. His subsequent fundraising efforts to cover legal fees only perpetuated the cycle of defamation. In the U.S. and U.K., the growing use of lawsuits as a tool for digital harassment is forcing the legal system to deal with new challenges. Defamation suits are often costly, and the financial burden falls on those targeted, even if they eventually win their case. Legal experts estimate that it can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to defend against a complex defamation case. The digital age has made it easier for these trolls to amplify their claims. Social media platforms spread outrage quickly, while laws like Section 230 in the U.S. and the 'mere conduit' defense in the U.K. allow platforms to avoid responsibility. This has led to a situation where anyone can make accusations without consequence, and the truth is only revealed after expensive and lengthy legal battles. The speed at which online reputations are damaged today is unprecedented. A single accusation can have long-term effects on a person's career, even if proven false. Google updates its cache in minutes, and once a claim is made, it can be difficult to remove the traces of reputational harm. For many, especially those who cannot afford extensive legal battles, the burden of proof is often on the victim. This form of harassment isn't confined to the U.K. and U.S. Around the world, individuals and companies are increasingly finding themselves in courtrooms due to online defamation. Some have even turned to courts as a way to silence critics, with the hope of using the legal process to delay or prevent further scrutiny. John Robertson's case may be closed, but the damage remains. For the public, the cost of these legal battles continues to rise, and the question remains: who will pay for the price of online harassment turned litigation? TIME BUSINESS NEWS
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Jersey Opera House's interim chair steps down
Jersey Opera House's interim chairperson has stepped down two months after taking on the venue said "growing pressure" from Cyril Whelan's other commitments meant he had decided to dedicate more time to those Whelan - who is a coroner, Employment and Discrimination Tribunal judge and the Gambling Commission chair - became interim chair of the St Helier venue in April after Dave Chalk stepped down from the Grade II listed building reopened after five years in May following a major £13m refurbishment scheme. A spokesperson for the venue said Mr Whelan was "born in the shadow" of the building and had been associated with the Opera House for 13 added Mr Whelan's efforts had helped secure £12.5m of public money for the renovation work."We thank him for his dedicated service to the Opera House - his efforts have contributed to the building celebrating its 125th birthday in grand style and have secured its future," the spokesperson Opera House said a "diverse artistic programme" was in place for the autumn season.
