\n The health board’s initial statement \u2014 addressing what it described as “misinformation” around the case \u2014 went online just after 3pm last Friday, as the tribunal entered its final hour for the day.\n<\/p>\n
\n The statement has since been edited at least twice.\n<\/p>\n
\n It has also been described as \u201cpetulant\u201d by the Scottish Information Commissioner, who warned of contempt of court proceedings in the Court of Session.\n<\/p>\n
\n It looks set to be raised before Employment Judge Sandy Kemp at the start\u00a0of Monday\u2019s session.\n<\/p>\n
\n READ MORE<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n \n Paragraph three of NHS Fife\u2019s original statement referenced the CEO of Sex Matters, Maya Forstater, who has already given evidence, and the group\u2019s chair, barrister Naomi Cunningham KC, who is leading Ms Peggie\u2019s case.\n<\/p>\n \n The next paragraph stated\u00a0that while the case had attracted \u201csignificant and very polarised debate\u201d on social media, \u201cwhat began as debate has evolved into much more worrying behaviour, including a threat of physical harm and sexual violence, which has required the involvement of Police Scotland\u201d.\n<\/p>\n \n During Friday\u2019s hearing, Ms Peggie\u2019s barrister Charlotte Elves told the tribunal: \u201cParagraph four of the statement seems to conclude that [Sex Matters\u2019 involvement] has resulted in more worrying behaviour that has involved Police Scotland.\n<\/p>\n \n “It is a matter of some concern that a party to proceedings seems to link a witness in these proceedings with the conduct of members of the public, including threats of physical violence.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n NHS Fife\u2019s senior counsel, Jane Russell KC, said she had only just seen the statement and asked for more time to consider it.\n<\/p>\n \n However, she rejected the suggestion that it contained anything defamatory or untrue.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cThere is no way NHS Fife\u2019s statement could be seen to directly link the threats to those involved with Sex Matters,\u201d she said.\n<\/p>\n \n Nevertheless, NHS Fife later tweaked the release, adding: \u201cTo be clear, NHS Fife is not seeking to suggest that anyone involved with Sex Matters have contributed to the behaviour or issues mentioned above.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n It was edited again to remove mention of Ms Cunningham and Ms Forstater.\n<\/p>\n \n The Peggie tribunal resumed last week after a five-month adjournment. Ms Peggie, an A&E nurse at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy<\/a>, is suing the board and Dr Beth Upton, after she was suspended for raising objections to the trans woman doctor\u2019s use of a female changing room on Christmas Eve 2023.\n<\/p>\n \n On Sunday, the Courier quoted<\/a> an NHS Fife manager who described the statement as \u201cextremely badly advised\u201d.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cWe have lost the confidence of local politicians.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cAnyone who signed that statement off should face scrutiny,\u201d they added.\n<\/p>\n \n An NHS Fife spokesman told the paper its legal representatives had approved the 1,700-word intervention.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n