Women’s rights campaigners in Australia had previously raised the alarm after the country’s health regulator, AHPRA, listed Dr Upton’s sex as female on its register and are now demanding a Government inquiry into the episode.
The case traces back to Christmas Eve 2023 when Mrs Peggie, an experienced NHS Fife nurse, was suspended and investigated on allegations of harassment and bullying after objecting to Dr Upton’s presence in the women’s changing room at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy.
During the subsequent employment tribunal hearings in Dundee, Dr Upton repeatedly insisted on not being male and dismissed biological sex as a “nebulous dog whistle”. The medic also declared if a female patient asked for a woman doctor, Dr Upton would attend to them regardless.
The tribunal judge ruled Mrs Peggie and her legal representatives were permitted to use male pronouns when referring to the doctor. Dr Upton also told the proceedings: “I am only asking for basic respect.”
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