News you need, the perspective you won’t find anywhere else. The trans community’s guide to UK news, media and politics and our place in it.

NEWS

Sussex Police ‘failed’ transgender teen who took his own life, court hears [MSN]

  • The mother and stepfather of transgender teenager Jason Pulman, who took his own life in April 2022, are suing Sussex Police for alleged human rights breaches. Jason, 15, was found dead in Hampden Park, Eastbourne, after going missing. An inquest last year concluded his emotional and mental health needs were “inadequately assessed and provided for” and that police “responded inadequately” to his disappearance.

    His parents, Emily and Mark Pulman, say the force’s 10-hour delay before visiting their home potentially contributed to his death. They argue the handling of Jason’s case failed to protect his rights and welfare.

Nurse accused of anti-trans and Islamophobic comments during tribunal [Yahoo]

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  • A tribunal heard claims that NHS nurse Sandie Peggie made Islamophobic and anti-trans remarks, including allegedly saying she “wanted to post bacon through the letterbox of a mosque”, and allegedly mocking Pakistan flood victims in Facebook post, amongst other things. Witness Fiona Wishart said Peggie allegedly made “derogatory remarks” about Dr Beth Upton, including terms reportedly used by others such as “weirdo”, “freak” and “it”. Wishart added Peggie allegedly criticised immigrants, claiming they “need to go back to their own country” and “come over here to steal our jobs”. Peggie has been recalled today to give evidence after this testimony. You can read more about this in THE PAPERS section below.

POLITICS

Scottish government responds to EHRC code of practice consultation [Holyrood]

  • On 25 July, 2025, the Scottish Government released their response regarding the EHRC Code of Practice, which is due to be updated over the summer in light of the farcical Supreme Court ruling in the For Women Scotland case.

    In summary, the Scottish Government criticises the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s draft Code of Practice for focusing on justifying the exclusion of trans people rather than looking for ways to be inclusive, but willingly uses the language of those who hate trans people, which renders the entire thing useless. You cannot fight discrimination while using the language of those wanting to do the discriminating.

    They accept the Supreme Court ruling defining “woman” as “biological woman”, while ministers warned against marginalising trans people, which is exactly what is already happening. Their response urges the EHRC to include guidance on inclusive approaches, to balance equality law with human rights obligations, and clarify when a Gender Recognition Certificate changes legal sex. It also calls for the consideration of intersex people.

    You can read the letter in full here.

Project 2025 creator to challenge Lindsey Graham for Senate seat [NBC News]

  • Paul Dans, architect of the far-right Project 2025, will run in the 2026 South Carolina Republican primary against long-serving Senator Lindsey Graham, according to NBC News. Dans is also a former director of the Heritage Foundation.

    Further reading: Still wondering why so many Labour policies sound like they’ve come straight from Donald Trump? This should help – Blue Labour on MAGA Square: Maurice Glasman’s Journey to Trumpism [Byline Times]

MEDIA

Independent pull articles on Peggie racism allegations

  • The Independent initially published a story covering the allegations made at the Sandie Peggie tribunal detailed above but, for reasons that have not been explained at the time of writing, removed it, sending the article link to the home page. A few hours later, however, they had another article online detailing more alleged racist and transphobic comments by Peggie. By the time I had woken up this morning, they had also removed that one. The second article has been archived here. Maya Forstater, of Sex Matters, says that Peggie is being ‘smeared’ after ‘ill-judged’ comments.

SPORT

Anti-trans protesters removed after targeting trans darts player [Pink News]

  • Three anti-trans protesters were ejected from the Women’s World Matchplay after attempting to disrupt Noa-Lynn van Leuven, the first trans woman to qualify for the Professional Darts Corporation World Championship.

    One wore a “Save Women’s Sport” T-shirt (but probably couldn’t name another female darts player) and tried to throw objects onto the stage. Van Leuven, who has faced significant abuse, said: “I love this game too much, why would I let anyone else ruin my passion for darts? I just want to play darts.”

    The Dutch player, who has spoken openly about her mental health struggles linked to the contrived backlash, vowed to keep competing.

Buttigieg backs trans bans and agrees ‘concerned’ parents have a point [Advocate]

  • In what he probably hoped would be the headline, Pete Buttigieg has rejected blanket bans on trans athletes, arguing that decisions should be made by local sports leagues and school boards rather than politicians. How that’s meant to be better is not clear. Speaking to NPR, he said the approach “starts with compassion… for transgender people, compassion for families… and also empathy for people who are not sure what all of this means for them.” Yes, won’t someone think of the ignorant bigots!

    Advocate, who call this “one of the most carefully worded responses yet to the debate over transgender youth participation in sports”, also reported that “Asked whether a parent concerned about their child facing a trans kid in girls’ sports “has a case,” Buttigieg said, “Sure.””

    With friends like these…

AROUND THE WORLD

Australia – Equality Australia backs trans inclusion in legal fight over female-only spaces [The Australian]

  • Equality Australia has joined Roxanne Tickle’s landmark Federal Court case challenging the exclusion of trans women from female-only spaces. The case, against Giggle app founder Sall Grover, stems from Grover’s rejection of Tickle from a female-only networking platform, which was found to be unlawful last year. Equality Australia’s application will be decided when the appeal hearing begins on August 4.

USA – Boston Children’s stands firm on trans youth care despite threats [LGBTQ Nation]

  • Boston Children’s Hospital has vowed it will not be bullied into abandoning its care for trans youth, despite political pressure, bomb threats and hate campaigns.

USA – Kaiser, Yale and others backtrack on youth trans care under political pressure [Erin in the Morning]

  • A growing number of US hospitals, including Kaiser Permanente, Yale Medicine, and Connecticut Children’s, have suspended care for trans youth under 19, despite state laws protecting access. Kaiser’s reversal came just one day after 750 parents praised its care in an open letter.

CHINA – Hong Kong court offers partial win for trans bathroom rights [LGBTQ Nation]

  • A Hong Kong court has struck down parts of a law criminalising trans people for using bathrooms matching their gender. The ruling, which suspended changes for 12 months to allow a government review, follows previous progress on gender marker rules. However, trans people fear officials may again over-promise, as past reforms still forced invasive medical procedures on people seeking ID changes.

CUBA – Cuba drops surgery requirement for gender marker changes [LGBTQ Nation]

  • Cuba will now allow trans people to change gender markers on their official ID without undergoing genital surgery. While gender care has been state-funded since 2008, access has long been hampered by medicine shortages and staffing issues worsened by US sanctions and domestic budget cuts. Many trans Cubans have been forced to self-medicate due to treatment delays. Campaigners welcomed the legal reform as a long-overdue step for trans rights but warned that practical barriers to accessing hormones and surgeries remain.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

  • “The NHS has launched its first review of health inequalities experienced by LGBTQ+ people, including access to mental health care, cancer screening and primary care services. The review will last six months.” [Politico]. It will be led by Dr Michael Brady, who has pronouns in his Twitter bio.

TODAY’S PAPERS

News Letter

  • Following up on their front page and double-page of hate yesterday, the News Letter are back with another front page and a double-page of hate, including nonsense from Kathleen Stock who, as usual, doesn’t have a clue what she is talking about. They do, at least, refer to her as a ‘critic of the transgender movement’ twice in the first three paragraphs. They also imply she was fired from her university job when we all know she quit after receiving the support of her employer. Basic shit.

    More seriously, however, the News Letter gleefully print harmful and false claims from the DUP’s Diane Dodds. Dodds said, “When children as young as five are caught up in this, it is not ‘support’, it is ideological experimentation on children by the state.” There is nothing ‘experimental’ about trans healthcare, beyond what these people would like to see us subjected to.

Front page of the News Letter dated Tuesday, 29 July 2025. The masthead reads “News Letter: The Pride of Northern Ireland, since 1737.” Main headline in bold black text: “Nesbitt trans plan puts UUP in turmoil” with subheading “Referral of young children madness: Ex-leader.” An article by David Thompson sits below the headline. The central image shows Health Minister Mike Nesbitt in a light blue suit with glasses, looking downward with a thoughtful or concerned expression. Other articles include: “GPs to cut back some work in dispute over cash” on the right-hand side, and a banner for “Fermanagh horror shooting: Husband and dad prime suspect” at the top left. There is also a colourful sports banner across the top featuring “LEGENDS COUP FOR BROWNE” with motorcycle imagery and another titled “Special Keep ‘Er Lit has all the action from the Armoy Races.” The bottom strip of the page is an advert for jobstoday.co.uk reading “What do you want to do tomorrow?” with images of people using laptops.
Two-page newspaper spread from the News Letter dated Tuesday, 29 July 2025, focusing on political controversy over Northern Ireland Health Minister Mike Nesbitt’s trans healthcare funding plans. Left Page: Main headline: “UUP opposition to Nesbitt trans services plan grows.” Main article by David Thompson outlines political backlash from Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) members regarding £800,000 funding for a gender identity service. Large central image shows Mike Nesbitt outdoors in a grey suit, holding documents and a red folder while speaking to reporters. Sub-article at the bottom: “Growing questions over leadership” discussing doubts about UUP leadership stability. Right Page: Top article: “‘Experimentation on children’ condemned.” Discusses criticism of transgender healthcare for youth, featuring a photo of Carla Lockhart MP in a circular inset. Mid-page photo shows protesters holding “Trans Rights Now” placards, standing together outside, one protester in a patterned skirt and boots engaging with another person. Caption: “Protesters speaking of Patrick Harvie blocks at the Oxford Union in 2023.” Article headline beneath photo: “Trans patients aged five ‘down to parents’.” Focuses on parental roles and medical consent for young transgender patients. Bottom right advert: “Unlock tax-free cash from your home” by Age Partnership, featuring a smiling elderly woman with glasses using a smartphone.

Telegraph

  • The Telegraph have one article attacking trans people today. Sort of. On the surface, it looks like them gleefully misgendering a trans person, but the Daily Mail report the same story as, “A convicted Algerian criminal has been allowed to stay in Britain after claiming he is a transvestite and would be at risk if he was deported.” The Times’ report, however, was confusing, as you can see below. so I’m really none the wiser. I have not included the Mail’s article as it makes no reference to the person being transgender.

Algerian criminal wins right to stay in UK because he was ‘ridiculed for being trans’ The Daily Telegraph29 Jul 2025By Charles Hymas Home affairs Editor AN ALGERIAN criminal has won the right to stay in Britain after claiming he would face ridicule and abuse in his home country for being transgender. The 27-year-old had been previously jailed for robbery and committed multiple offences, including burglary, theft and battery, since being granted refugee status in 2013. Arguing against his deportation, the repeat offender, identified only as MS, claimed he would be targeted because of his sexuality, described to a court as “gay, transvestite and/or transgender”. A judge agreed, upholding his appeal against the Home Office’s revocation of his refugee status. Upper Tribunal Judge Christopher Hanson said: “Were MS to return to Algeria and be open about his sexuality, he would be at risk of mockery, harassment, discrimination and potential harm from non-state actors. Were he to wear women’s clothes and makeup, he would certainly draw negative attention to himself, and would likely be subjected to ridicule, hostility and possible harm. “While there are some transvestites and transgender individuals in Algeria... they have suffered abuse and harm.” The case comes as Yvette Cooper, the ‘Were he to wear women’s makeup, he would certainly draw negative attention to himself’ Home Secretary, draws up new laws to restrict the rights of foreign criminals and illegal migrants to use human rights laws to avoid deportation. She is also tightening the rules to allow the Government to reject asylum applications of sex offenders. Since his arrival in Britain 12 years ago, MS has been convicted of numerous crimes, including four convictions for offences including burglary and theft; attempted burglary with intent to steal; using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provocation of violence; and theft. A deportation order was made in August 2022. The Home Office asserted in July 2023 that the situation in Algeria had changed and MS would no longer be an “individual who would face treatment amounting to persecution”. But a “country expert” told the tribunal that while “homosexuality is not illegal in Algeria, engaging in homosexual acts is a punishable offence”, and those who do not hide their sexuality were at risk of “physical violence”. Judge Hanson found the lower court had made a legal error because it did not consider the “protected characteristics” for which the asylum seeker had been “recognised as a refugee”.

Times

Algerian thief can stay in UK because he wears women’s clothes Jonathan Ames - Legal Editor A judge has allowed an Algerian thief to avoid deportation after hearing that he faced abuse in north Africa because he wears women’s clothes and make-up. The unnamed 27-year-old has been jailed in the UK for robbery and has committed other offences including burglary, theft and battery since being granted refugee status in 2013. Identified only as MS, the man argued at an appeal hearing that he would be targeted in Algeria because of his sexuality, which was described as “gay, transvestite and/or transgender”. Home Office officials issued the man with a deportation order three years ago. Lawyers for the department told a tribunal in 2023 that the situation in Algeria had evolved, meaning MS would no longer “face treatment amounting to persecution” in the country. The judge in the upper tribunal in Birmingham, Christopher Hanson, noted there were “some transvestites and transgender individuals in Algeria” – but they had “suffered abuse and harm”. Hanson upheld MS’s appeal against deportation, saying if he were “to return to Algeria and be open about his sexuality, he would be at risk of mockery, harassment, discrimination and potential harm from non-state actors”. He added that Algerian society would be unlikely to accept him wearing women’s clothes or being transgender. The judge said the man had also made “entirely plausible” submissions about “his father’s threats to kill him on account of his behaviour”. Since arriving in the UK 12 years ago, MS has committed a string of offences. Whitehall officials issued him a warning in 2015 after he received convictions including burglary and theft, and using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provocation of violence. But he was convicted of a further eight offences between 2016 and 2018, and others in the following years. MS received several jail sentences, one of which was for more than four years. A deportation order was served in 2022, but at a hearing a “country expert” said he would be at risk in Algeria because of his sexuality. The upper tribunal judge has now ruled he can maintain his refugee status.

The Scotsman

The front page of The Scotsman dated Tuesday 29 July 2025, price £2.60. The main masthead reads “SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER” with the website address www.scotsman.com. A large photograph shows US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arriving by helicopter at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, with a marine saluting them. The main story teaser in the right-hand column reads: “Peggie ‘called trans doctor a weirdo’ claim” by Sarah Ward, summarising the tribunal case involving nurse Sandie Peggie and transgender doctor Beth Upton. A yellow-highlighted box notes “Full story, page 9”.
Peggie ‘called trans doctor a weirdo’ claim The Scotsman29 Jul 2025Sarah Ward The nurse at the centre of a tribunal involving a transgender doctor allegedly referred to the doctor as “it” and “that weirdo”, according to a former friend of the nurse. Lindsey Nicoll, a nurse practitioner, also alleged to the hearing that Sandie Peggie would use racial slurs. She is set to be recalled to give evidence today. A former friend of nurse Sandie Peggie has alleged that she referred to a transgender doctor as “it” and “asked for pictures of that weirdo”, a tribunal heard. Ms Peggie was suspended after she complained about having to share a changingroom with transgender medic Dr Beth Upton at Victoria Hospital in 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. Lindsey Nicoll, an emergency nurse practitioner who became friends with Ms Peggie in 2010 and began holidaying with her in 2017, said the veteran nurse would use racial slurs and posted jokes about floods in Pakistan which killed 3,000 people into a “Benidorm group chat” in 2017. Ms Nicoll said that in 2024 the pair were at an airport when Ms Peggie allegedly saw a group of women wearing burkas and appeared “disgusted”, the tribunal heard. The witness said that after the trip she removed herself from the group chat and explained she “wouldn’t be spending time in Sandie’s company”. Ms Nicoll alleged that at a lunch on September 4 2023, Ms Peggie referred to Dr Upton as “it” and “weirdo”, the tribunal heard. Ms Nicoll said: “I can distinctively remember her saying ‘weirdo’ at lunch.” She said that in February 2024 her ex-friend had posted in a group chat “well it appears official, Sandie Peggie vs Beth Upton”, and that Ms Peggie had inadvertently messaged someone in error “asking for photos of that weirdo”, the tribunal heard. Asked about a message sent by Ms Peggie which read “can you post a picture of that weirdo”, Ms Nicoll said: “I obviously didn’t realise the weirdo she was referring to was Beth.” She said that Dr Upton was mentioned at the lunch “immediately”, the tribunal heard. The witness said: “She started talking about a doctor who had been working in A&E about three or four weeks, she was really angry about the doctor being there, referring to the doctor as ‘weirdo’; ‘it’; ‘him’. “I remember someone saying ‘why can’t you live and let live?’ She seemed full of anger and hate about this doctor who she had only just met.” During cross-examination by Ms Peggie’s lawyer, Naomi Cunningham, the witness agreed she was aware of allegations Dr Upton had “caused chaos” in a previous job including allegedly complaining about being misgendered by dementia patients and admitted patient confidentiality could have been breached in the group chat, the tribunal heard. I didn’t realise the weirdo she was referring to was Beth Ms Cunningham said: “Do you agree your regulator places some stress on confidentiality, so sharing patient details, chatting about patients by name on a chat like this would be breach of regulations?” Ms Nicoll said: “Yes, it would.” The witness provided 10 jokes shared by Ms Peggie regarding flooding in Pakistan, branding them “racist”, but admitted posting a laughing emoji when Ms Peggie posted saying “Sorry folks if that makes me racist”, the tribunal heard. Ms Nicoll said she may have “enabled” Ms Peggie and that it was “likely” she had behaved as alleged towards Dr Upton, describing her as “rude” and “bigoted”, the court heard. Other users of the group chat posted jokes including about the adult baby diaper loving community, the tribunal heard. Ms Cunningham said: “Do you disagree you were the only member of the Benidorm group who disagrees with Sandie’s stance?” The witness said: “My reason for feeling the way I do is to do with Sandie’s views and how she likely behaved to the doctor. I accept everyone has got different views about being in a changing room with a transgender person.” The witness denied she was “hostile” to Ms Peggie but added: “It’s something I certainly felt strongly about and felt I needed to do.” Messages written by Ms Nicoll were shared, including: “She’s a f **** who is going to end up with a massive payout, I hope she’s struck off”, and “if anyone was to ask for statement about Sandie’s character I would do it. She should be struck off, I hope she is”, the tribunal heard. Ms Cunningham said she was “attempting to end Sandie’s career”, but the witness said she felt there was no place for “bigotry” in nursing. The witness said: “I’ve watched her stare in disgust at people walking through an airport in burkas, I’ve heard her calling a transgender woman a weirdo, and I don’t think it’s acceptable, no.” She added: “I think it’s important for people to understand Sandie’s character, the bigoted racism that Sandie is all for. I don’t think there is a place for it in nursing. I think we should be showing people compassion and empathy, and respect, and I don’t think Sandie does that.” Ms Peggie will be recalled at the hearing today . Article Name:Peggie ‘called trans doctor a weirdo’ claim Publication:The Scotsman Author:Sarah Ward Start Page:9 End Page:9

The Herald

Front page of The Herald newspaper dated Tuesday, July 29, 2025, price £2.60, subscription from £2.08. The main headline in large black serif font reads: “Starmer stays straight-faced as President gets talkative”. A subhead beneath in smaller font says: “PM and his wife stick to script (mostly) as press pack finds lots to chew on”. A byline underneath attributes the article to Andrew Learmonth, Political Editor, reporting from Trump Turnberry. Below the headline is a large colour photograph of UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer smiling and gesturing while walking alongside US President Donald Trump, who is also smiling and gesturing with his right hand raised. Both are wearing suits and ties. On the right-hand side of the page is a smaller boxed headline reading: “Peggie accused of calling trans doctor a ‘weirdo’” by Rebecca McCurdy. The text beneath summarises that a former friend of nurse Sandie Peggie has alleged she referred to a transgender doctor as “it” and a “weirdo”, triggering a tribunal hearing. Peggie has been placed on special leave by NHS Fife after allegations of bullying, harassment, and patient safety concerns at Victoria Hospital. The masthead at the top features The Herald logo with a heraldic crest of a unicorn holding a shield bearing a saltire. There is also a red banner across the page reading: “Donald Trump in Scotland”.
Nurse Peggie recalled after claim she called trans doctor a ‘weirdo’ The Herald29 Jul 2025Rebecca Mccurdy Political Correspondent Picture: Iain Masterton Sandie Peggie arrives at the tribunal with solicitor Margaret Gribbon SANDIE Peggie will give fresh evidence in her employment tribunal against NHS Fife after she was accused of racism and describing a transgender medic as a “weirdo”. The nurse is suing her employer after she complained about having to share a changing room with Dr Beth Upton, a trans woman, at Victoria Hospital on Christmas Eve 2023. Ms Peggie was placed on special leave after Dr Upton made an allegation of bullying, harassment and patient safety concerns. The court at the Dundee Tribunal Hearing Centre yesterday heard from two nursing colleagues of Ms Peggie, who both overheard “derogatory” comments. Lindsey Nicoll, an emergency nurse practitioner at the hospital, went on numerous holidays with Ms Peggie between 2017 and 2024, the tribunal heard. However, she told the tribunal that she was uncomfortable with some of the remarks made by Ms Peggie in a “Benidorm group chat”. In 2024, Ms Nicoll said the pair were at an airport when Ms Peggie appeared “disgusted” by a group of women wearing burkas. Two years earlier, Ms Peggie had shared 10 jokes into the group chat about the floods in Pakistan, concluding the post by stating “sorry if that makes me racist”. After that trip, Ms Nicoll said she left the group chat and told friends she “wouldn’t be spending time in Sandie’s company”. She also told the tribunal that at a lunch in September 2023, Ms Peggie had mentioned Dr Upton. Ms Nicoll explained: “She started talking about a doctor who had been working in A&E about three or four weeks. She was really angry about the doctor being there, referring to the doctor as ‘weirdo’, ‘it’ and ‘him’. “I remember someone saying, ‘Why can’t you live and let live?’ She seemed full of anger and hate about this doctor she had only just met.” However, during cross-examination by Naomi Cunningham, who represents Ms Peggie, the witness said she was aware of messages in the group chat that alluded to Dr Upton causing “chaos” in a previous job after it is alleged the medic complained about being misgendered by a dementia patient. Ms Cunningham also referenced a post from Ms Nicoll in the group chat, where she shared details of a patient’s name and their complaint. “Do you agree your regulator places some stress on confidentiality, so sharing patient details, chatting about patients by name on a chat like this would be a breach of regulations?” Ms Nicoll agreed that it would and I think it’s important for people to understand Sandie’s character said she found her remarks “disappointing”. The witness also admitted that she may have “enabled” Ms Peggie’s views by putting a laughing emoji to her comment that she may be “racist” for sharing jokes about Pakistan. Ms Nicoll was also forced to deny she was attempting to destroy Ms Peggie’s career by coming forward with these allegations. “You thoroughly dislike Sandie Peggie, don’t you?” Ms Cunningham asked. But Ms Nicoll replied: “I am actually really sad about the whole situation. We’re clearly very different people.” In cross-examination, Ms Cunningham accused Ms Nicoll of being “hostile” and having it in for her former friend. The tribunal heard that Ms Nicoll had messaged a friend about disliking Ms Peggie’s conduct and said that she hoped the nurse was “struck off” from the Nursing and Midwifery Council register. Ms Cunningham asked: “This is an attempt to end Sandie’s career, isn’t it?” Ms Nicoll replied that this was not the case and said she felt there was no place for “bigotry” in nursing. She said: “I’ve watched her stare in disgust at people walking through an airport in burkas. I’ve heard her calling a transgender woman a weirdo and I don’t think it’s acceptable, no. “I think it’s important for people to understand Sandie’s character, the bigoted racism that Sandie is all for. I don’t think there is a place for it in nursing. I think we should be showing people compassion and empathy and respect and I don’t think Sandie does that.” An earlier witness, Fiona Wishart, who also works as an emergency nurse practitioner, told the tribunal she was “offended” by comments made by Ms Peggie in relation to a mosque being built in Kirkcaldy. The tribunal heard that Ms Peggie allegedly said she had “a good mind to post bacon through the letter box” of the mosque. Ms Peggie has been recalled and will give evidence in the tribunal this afternoon. Her barrister, Ms Cunningham, appealed to employment judge Sandy Kemp to allow this, prior to the evidence from Ms Peggie’s colleagues, to be heard in order to give the nurse the opportunity to discuss it. Two additional witnesses have been called by the claimants team. One is Sandra Ross, from the Benidorm group chat, while the other is Emma Ward, an administrator for the organisation Sex Matters. Ms Ward is expected to tell the tribunal that the caller came forward to report concerns about using a changing room with a transgender person present. The tribunal continues. Article Name:Nurse Peggie recalled after claim she called trans doctor a ‘weirdo’ Publication:The Herald Author:Rebecca Mccurdy Political Correspondent Start Page:4 End Page:4
Key points as Sandie Peggie’s character condemned by witness in tribunal Rebecca McCurdy THE Sandie Peggie employment tribunal against NHS Fife continued yesterday with evidence from two nurses condemning the character of their colleague. Emergency nursing practitioners Fiona Wishart and Lindsey Nicoll were called by NHS Fife’s lawyer Jane Russell KC to give evidence. Here are the key points: Peggie is said to have referred to Upton as “it” First up, we heard from Ms Wishart, a nurse with NHS Fife for 41 years. She was in the changing room on Christmas Eve with both Ms Peggie and Dr Upton but left before the dispute. However, she said that “derogatory” comments were made about Dr Upton. The September 2023 lunch resulted in Ms Peggie referring to the medic as a “weirdo,” and a “freak”. It’s important to note that Ms Wishart said that she did not directly hear these remarks, and it was instead relayed to her by a colleague. ‘Racist and homophobic’ claims At that September 2023 lunch, it is also alleged that Ms Peggie made reference to a mosque being built in Kirkcaldy. Ms Wishart alleges that she heard Ms Peggie say she “had a good mind to post bacon through the letter box”. Further allegations accusing Ms Peggie of racism emerged in Ms Nicoll’s evidence. Here, the “Benidorm group chat” becomes a key part of the tribunal. It is alleged that Ms Peggie shared 10 posts in this group chat with racist jokes about the floods in Pakistan in 2022, where 1,737 people died. “Clearly she is a racist,” said Ms Nicoll, who had been going on group holidays with Ms Peggie between 2017 and 2024. The homophobic allegations were also made by Ms Nicoll, who accused Ms Peggie of being “devastated” that her daughter was gay. She asked Ms Nicoll, who revealed she has a gay son, how she “coped”. “I just feel she is possibly homophobic in the way she was devastated,” she said. Attempt to end Sandie Peggie’s career? Ms Nicoll told the tribunal she had not set out to “end Sandie’s career” by giving evidence against her character. Ms Nicoll categorically denied she had it in for Ms Peggie and said she found the prospect of giving evidence to a tribunal a “complete nightmare”. The tribunal heard that the witness sent messages to a colleague criticising Ms Peggie and expressing a willingness to give evidence against her. She also argued that Ms Peggie should be “struck off” from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register. Ms Cunningham said: “This is an attempt to end Sandie’s career, isn’t it?”. The barrister claimed the NHS Fife health board were looking for someone to do a “hatchet job” of Ms Peggie’s character, with Ms Nicoll being described as “all too willing”. Peggie recalled Sandie Peggie has been recalled to give additional evidence to the tribunal following some of the allegations made against her. The nurse will give evidence today.

The Courier & Advertiser

Front page of The Courier (File edition), dated Tuesday, 29 July 2025, issue No. 53,653, price £2.20. Main headline: “Claim nurse made racist jokes about floods in Pakistan”, with the subheading: “Tribunal: Sandie Peggie accused of offensive remarks”. The main article by Justin Bowie and Alasdair Clark details allegations of Peggie mocking victims of catastrophic floods in Pakistan via Facebook posts. Accompanying image shows Sandie Peggie in a white coat and black top, walking outside, smiling at the camera. Other cover stories include “Trump tells of ‘great love for Scotland’ ahead of PM talks”, “Fife singer Roan and Sheeran to top iTunes chart”, “Call for public to join rally against fire service cuts”, “Success for Burns club Page 6”, and “Fife terror suspect: ‘I’ll make 9/11 look like Teletubbies’ Page 12”.
A two-page spread from The Courier & Advertiser dated Tuesday, 29 July 2025. The headline reads: “Nurse in trans row accused of racist postings”. The left-hand article by Justin Bowie and Alasdair Clark reports allegations against Sandie Peggie, an NHS Fife nurse, accused of mocking victims of deadly floods in Pakistan in Facebook posts, and of making derogatory comments about transgender doctor Beth Upton. Accompanying images include: A large central photo of Sandie Peggie, smiling and wearing a white coat, carrying a handbag. A smaller inset photo of emergency nurse practitioner Lindsey Nicoll wearing glasses and a green jacket. An inset of Maya Forstater, known for gender-critical activism, smiling with curly hair and a pink scarf. The right-hand page carries the headline “Peggie recalled to tribunal as charity backing her breaks silence on claims she made offensive posts”. The layout includes quotes from witnesses about Peggie’s alleged offensive remarks, including calling Dr Upton a “weirdo” and “freak”.

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