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Nurse called a 'bigot' and 'racist' at RCN meeting after welcoming Supreme Court gender ruling

From the Newshound archive · first published 23 September 2026 · last updated 25 September 2026.

Sandie Peggie, who told Wednesday's tribunal that her union representative steered her toward a transfer rather than backing her fight over the changing-room dispute.
Sandie Peggie, who told Wednesday's tribunal that her union representative steered her toward a transfer rather than backing her fight over the changing-room dispute.

Jennifer Willmott appeared before the Sandie Peggie employment tribunal in Dundee and said she had been called a 'bigot' and 'racist' by fellow Royal College of Nursing members after describing herself as 'relieved' by the Supreme Court's landmark ruling that 'woman' means biological woman under the Equality Act. Former RCN policy officer Lisa Mackenzie also gave evidence, saying the union had left her feeling like a 'bigot' because of her gender-critical views, and that an investigation into outside work she had carried out was 'the worst experience of my working life'. The hearing is the second tribunal Peggie has brought — she previously won a partial victory against NHS Fife over a changing-room dispute with a transgender medic.

Mackenzie co-founded gender-critical group Murray Blackburn Mackenzie and resigned from the RCN in 2019 after the union investigated her for it.

Peggie, off work since Christmas Eve 2023, is weeks from losing all sick pay — her half-pay ends on January 1, 2027.

The RCN union rep told Peggie to treat her NHS Fife suspension 'as an extended holiday', she told the tribunal.

MoreDaily Mail NewsNurse union made me feel like a 'bigot' over gender views, policy officer tells trans-row tribunalThe TimesSandie Peggie tribunal: union made worker feel like a ‘bigot’The HeraldRECAP: Sandie Peggie tribunal hears from former RCN employeeDaily RecordNurse tells Sandie Peggie tribunal she felt 'ambushed' by union members after gender rulingThe ScotsmanSandie Peggie tribunal day two RECAP: Nurse's witnesses give evidence
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