Trans doctor's boss denies colluding to hide key papers from NHS tribunal

A KEY witness in the Sandie Peggie employment tribunal was accused of "deliberately withholding" documents from the case in startling scenes yesterday.

- By David Walker Scottish Politics Reporter

Dr Kate Searle, who was Dr Beth Upton's boss, denied claims that she conspired with other witnesses not to comply with a court order to avoid handing over "embarrassing" evidence.

She was also grilled about claims that she and the trans medic discussed confronting Ms Peggie because she decided to self-exclude herself from the female changing rooms due to his presence.

Ms Searle confirmed they talked about it but insisted they wouldn't have taken it further until the Christmas Eve incident, which was described as an "escalation."

Ms Peggie is suing both NHS Fife and Dr Upton, inset, for harassment following suspension from work after confronting the medic on December 24, 2023 about his use of the women single-sex facilities. Ms Peggie's counsel, Naomi Cunningham, asked Dr Searle about why some emails and correspondence were not handed over when requested in January this year. The failure to do so led to the tribunal being delayed.

Ms Cunningham suggested six of the witnesses, on Dr Upton's side, had conspired to "conceal their wrongdoing", sharing emails about the case under a heading "protected characteristics".