RCN has 'no position' on gender debate, boss tells Sandie Peggie tribunal

The executive director of RCN England has told an employment tribunal the union has “no position” on the debate around gender ideology and biological sex. Patricia Marquis gave evidence in Dundee on Wednesday, on the expected final day of evidence in Peggie’s claim against the RCN.

Asked by RCN lawyer David Hay KC to what extent the RCN holds a position on the debate, Marquis replied: “We have no position on those two concepts.” She said the RCN balanced the views of its 600,000-strong membership — “pretty reflective of society” with “a range of views on many issues”.

Peggie claims the RCN failed to support her in her health-board dispute and seeks a finding it discriminated against her because of her gender-critical and sex realist beliefs. The RCN denies the claims.

Peggie’s barrister, Naomi Cunningham, claimed the RCN had “picked a side” by adopting gender ideology, pointing to RCN Pride-flag badges — which Marquis agreed are “strongly associated with gender ideology”. Cunningham said: “There is nothing here that supports any other beliefs.” Marquis denied taking sides, insisting the badges supported members “who identify in different ways” and were “absolutely” not meant to exclude anyone.

Cunningham also called the RCN’s response to the 2025 Supreme Court ruling — that sex in the 2010 Equalities Act refers to biological sex — “mournful in tone” for presenting it as “bad news”. Marquis said it was “not the intention” to present it negatively, but agreed it did not mention members who may have welcomed it.

Sources

• Sky News, “RCN has ‘no position’ on gender debate, boss tells Sandie Peggie employment tribunal”, published 30 September 2026 21:38, https://news.sky.com/story/rcn-has-no-position-on-gender-debate-boss-tells-sandie-peggie-employment-tribunal-13593675