A Scottish employment tribunal has dismissed all three discrimination claims brought by nurse Sandie Peggie against the Royal College of Nursing, ruling that the union’s actions were not influenced by her protected beliefs.
Sandie Peggie has lost her employment tribunal case against the Royal College of Nursing following a dispute over the support she received from the union.
The ruling was issued on Monday 2 November, UK time, after hearings in Dundee in September and October.
Peggie alleged that the RCN had directly discriminated against her because of her gender-critical beliefs during a dispute involving her employer, NHS Fife.
Employment Judge Melanie Sangster dismissed all three complaints.
What The Case Examined
The proceedings concerned the union’s response to Peggie’s workplace dispute involving transgender doctor Beth Upton at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.
Peggie argued that the RCN had failed to advise her adequately, refused legal assistance for a further claim against NHS Fife and failed to seek all the assurances she wanted about single-sex facilities and the treatment of staff holding gender-critical beliefs.
The tribunal examined whether those decisions amounted to discrimination because of her beliefs.
The RCN accepted that Peggie held a protected philosophical belief. However, the tribunal found insufficient evidence that her belief had influenced the union’s actions.
The judgment accepted explanations relating to its usual approach to supporting members and providing legal assistance.
A Separate Ruling From The NHS Case
The decision concerns Peggie’s claims against her union.
It is separate from her earlier proceedings against NHS Fife, which followed the changing-room dispute with Upton in December 2023.
In December 2025, that earlier tribunal upheld harassment claims against her employer while dismissing allegations of discrimination, indirect discrimination and victimisation.
The latest judgment does not overturn that earlier outcome. It determines whether the RCN discriminated against Peggie in the support it provided.
Union Welcomes Decision
The RCN welcomed the ruling and said its staff had acted fairly and impartially.
“RCN staff followed agreed processes that apply to all members and we acted fairly and impartially,” a spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for Peggie criticised the outcome, saying the judgment “makes worrying reading for all trade union members”.
Her legal team said it would consider the judgment before recommending any further legal steps.
The ruling adds a new development to a closely watched dispute involving trans inclusion, protected beliefs and workplace facilities. Its immediate finding is specific: Peggie’s three direct discrimination claims against the RCN did not succeed.
