A prominent barrister has stated that author JK Rowling is 'too big to bully' for speaking out in support of women's rights, comments made during a significant employment tribunal case involving an NHS nurse.
The Legal Battle Over Women's-Only Spaces
Naomi Cunningham, the lawyer representing 51-year-old A&E nurse Sandie Peggie, made the remarks while discussing the case against NHS Fife and trans medic Dr Beth Upton. Mrs Cunningham, a leading figure in the fight to preserve women's-only spaces, argued that Ms Rowling was simply naming reality and standing up for women who have been 'atrociously bullied'.
The case centres on Mrs Peggie suing her employer and the 30-year-old Dr Upton after she was forced to share a female changing room with the trans medic. Mrs Cunningham told the BBC's Scotcast that while she knew the case was important, she had 'no idea what a big story it was going to be'. She described it as likely the first case where a woman took the fight to the other side by claiming harassment for being made to share her changing room with a man.
Defending Rowling and Hitting Out at 'Denial'
During the proceedings, Dr Upton's birthname was removed from legal documents, a move that figures like JK Rowling circumvented by sharing the name on social media. When this was characterised as bullying, Mrs Cunningham rejected the claim outright.
'All of these men who invade women's spaces,' she said, 'there is a real tendency to try keep their names and their faces out of the stories and just to bully women by invading their spaces and then run away and hide. People should take responsibility for their actions.'
The employment lawyer also dismissed the suggestion that Ms Rowling should participate in an interview to defend herself. 'All she is doing is naming reality and standing up, in a very real and practical way, for women who have been atrociously bullied for speaking the truth,' Mrs Cunningham stated. 'And, happily, we have JKR who is too big to bully.'
Furthermore, Mrs Cunningham criticised the Scottish Government for being in 'denial' over the landmark Supreme Court ruling concerning the legal definition of a woman. She described the verdict as 'really clear and written in plain, easy to understand terms', adding that the ideology has sunk its claws so deeply into institutions that it is hard to shake free.
Political Fallout and Imminent Verdict
The political repercussions are already being felt. MSP Tess White, the Scottish Tories' equalities spokesman, labelled Mrs Cunningham's comments a 'damning intervention' that should shame First Minister John Swinney and the SNP Government.
She accused the SNP of putting the safety of women and girls at risk by refusing to accept the Supreme Court's ruling after more than six months, and of allowing gender ideology to lead to reckless decisions in public bodies.
The verdict for the long-running employment tribunal involving Nurse Peggie is expected imminently. The Scottish Government has been approached for comment on the matter.
