The tribunal judge in the trans changing room case between nurse Sandie Peggie and NHS Fife has described a last-minute attempt to alter the health board’s defence as ‘negligent’. Employment judge Sandy Kemp yesterday issued the rebuke after Jane Russell KC, acting for NHS Fife and trans doctor Beth Upton, tried to amend their defence on the last day of the latest hearing earlier this month. Russell contacted the tribunal to argue that they should be allowed to introduce a defence based on “objectionable manifestation” of belief. Peggie was suspended by NHS Fife following an incident on Christmas Eve 2023, when she objected to Upton’s presence in the female changing room. The nurse launched a tribunal claim against both NHS Fife and Upton, which has been heard on three occasions this year in Dundee.