When Scotland’s Freedom of Information legislation was brought before the Scottish parliament 20 years ago, the serving deputy first minister Jim Wallace told MSPs that enhanced openness would lead to better scrutiny and, therefore, to ‘increased public confidence in decisions that are made which affect people’s lives’. The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act has been, as Wallace foresaw, a useful tool for journalists and members of the public to reveal the inner workings of public bodies. One Scottish health board, however, is trying hard to dodge scrutiny.
NHS Fife has found itself at the centre of a public storm as it fights an employment tribunal claim brought against it by nurse Sandie Peggie. Peggie lodged a claim of sexual harassment, harassment relating to a protected belief, indirect discrimination and victimisation against the health board after being compelled to share a changing room with a transgender doctor. Her claim is also against the doctor, Beth Upton, whose court costs are being covered in part by NHS Fife.
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