Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has demanded the immediate publication of updated gender guidance from the UK Government, following a meeting with a nurse at the centre of a high-profile employment tribunal.
Nurse's 'Hell' and Bureaucratic Oppression
Mrs Badenoch met with nurse Sandie Peggie in Edinburgh on Thursday, 15 January 2026, hailing her as an "admirable person who has been through hell." The Tory leader stated that Ms Peggie was suffering from "bureaucratic oppression" and condemned attempts to malign her reputation.
The nurse secured a partial victory in an industrial tribunal against her employer, NHS Fife. The case stemmed from her being compelled to share a changing facility at Kirkcaldy's Victoria Hospital with a transgender doctor, Beth Upton. While the tribunal upheld her claim of harassment, it dismissed allegations of discrimination, indirect discrimination, and victimisation.
Supreme Court Ruling Ignites Call for Action
Mrs Badenoch's demand is directed at Women and Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson. She insists the minister must publish revised guidance in the wake of a landmark Supreme Court ruling in April 2025.
In that case, brought by the campaign group For Women Scotland, the UK's highest court ruled that the terms "woman" and "sex" refer to biological woman and biological sex. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has since submitted updated guidance to ministers.
"Bridget Phillipson needs to publish that guidance now," Mrs Badenoch declared. "It is a disgrace that she has not done so. It is causing all sorts of problems."
Political Fallout and Government Response
The Conservative leader also turned her fire on the Scottish Government, urging it to follow the Supreme Court ruling. This call comes as For Women Scotland pursues further legal action regarding the housing of transgender offenders in women's prisons.
"It is time that the SNP government actually start following the Supreme Court ruling and make sure that the institutions which they run do so as well," she stated.
Responding at First Minister's Questions, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said the Scottish Government accepted the verdict. He confirmed that assessments were being carried out across legislation, guidance, and policies, with some changes already implemented.
"The Scottish Government has to make difficult decisions that balance the interests and rights of individuals, often in complex situations, and this is one such situation," Mr Swinney added.
Reflecting on her two-year ordeal after the December tribunal verdict, Ms Peggie previously stated the fight had been "agonising for me and my family." The UK Government has been approached for comment.
