It conceded that a proper investigation should have taken place before any action was taken against the two women.
“Before those decisions were taken, a proportionate investigation should have been conducted, Dr Beedell and Ms Stephenson should have been informed of the substance of the allegations and provided with the evidence or a summary of the evidence relied upon, and they should have been given a meaningful opportunity to respond,” the council stated.
Bristol Council has committed to establishing a new procedure governing any future cases in which sanctions against members of the public are under consideration.
The settlement further stipulates that the lawful expression of gender-critical views cannot, in itself, be treated as misconduct, harassment, or grounds for exclusion.
