A senior UK nurse, Jennifer Melle, is fighting to protect her career after facing disciplinary action for refusing to refer to a convicted child sex offender as a woman.
Melle, 40, who worked at Epsom and St Helier University Hospital Trust, declined to use female pronouns for a paedophile identified as ‘Mr X’, who is currently serving time in a high-security male prison for grooming boys online while posing as a teenage girl.
Backlash and Punishment
Following her refusal, Melle claims she was subjected to racial abuse and physical threats. She was later issued a final written warning and reported to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for allegedly breaching professional standards.
Hospital authorities argued that Melle’s Christian beliefs, which recognize only male and female genders, were “not worthy of respect in a democratic society.” An internal investigation found she had violated the NMC Code of Conduct by failing to respect the offender’s “preferred identity” and uphold the hospital’s core value of “Respect.”
Alleged Demotion and Legal Battle
As a result, Melle was transferred to another ward—a move she describes as a demotion. Additionally, her name was removed from the hospital’s internal system, blocking her from applying for extra shifts.
Now, with support from the Christian Legal Centre, Melle has launched legal action against the hospital, citing harassment, discrimination, and human rights violations.
Broader Debate on Gender Policies
This case has reignited discussions on gender identity policies in public institutions.
A recent report, the Sullivan Review, revealed that UK police forces have allowed criminals to self-identify their gender on official records, further intensifying the debate.
Melle’s legal battle is expected to draw nationwide attention, sparking fresh conversations about the balance between gender identity policies and freedom of belief in healthcare.
Stay updated with NIGPOST for more on this developing story.
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