'Confidentiality and integrity' marred as one side silenced

Sandie Peggie was warned to 'keep quiet'

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Head of Nursing Gillian Malone rejected these accusations at the employment tribunal in Dundee, although she did admit that Dr Kate Searle shouldn't have sent out an email to all consultants setting out Dr Upton's side of the story.

Ms Peggie was told not to mention the case due to it being an ongoing matter. She is suing NHS Fife and Dr Upton for sexual harassment after she was suspended from work after confronting Dr Upton — a biological male who identifies as a woman.

The cash-strapped health board has already spent more than £220,000 defending the case, with FM John Swinney backing NHS Fife.

Ms Malone said the nurse behaved in an "unacceptable" way when words were exchanged in the female changing room at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy on Christmas Eve 2023.

She was cross-examined by the nurse's KC Naomi Cunningham, who pointed out while Ms Peggie was reminded she must not tell anyone about the case, due to confidentiality reasons, Dr Searle, who is Dr Upton's boss, sent out an email "setting out Beth's side of the story".