After an internal trans rights conference, a Metropolitan Police detective lost her employment case. She claimed she was subjected to discrimination and harassment because of her gender-critical beliefs.
Melanie Newman, a detective constable with the Met Police Department, brought the lawsuit after attending “Trans Day of Visibility”, an event held in March 2023. She claimed that the event made her feel “isolation” and “dread”, and compared the experience to “Daniel being in the lions’ den”.
DC Newman who joined the police in March 2022 told the South London Employment Tribunal that the event held at New Scotland Yard, and available online, featured an one-sided presentation from trans rights activist Eva Echo. She said the activist’s comments were extreme and that they presented a conspiracy-theory perspective on gender issues.
The tribunal heard Eva Echo describe opponents of her views to be part of a cult with “twisted and distorted” beliefs. She also accused them of creating a “manufactured panic” and claiming trans people are targeted with hatred. DC Newman stated that these comments made her feel unable to question the speaker.
In her statement of testimony, she said: “I wanted to question what Eva Echo said at various points but I was afraid that I would be labeled as a ‘cult member’ and there would be consequences.”
She said, “I felt incognito Daniel among the lions.”
Tribunal rejects discrimination claims
DC Newman said she was concerned about the advice given during the event, which suggested officers write to their Conservative MPs. The speaker also suggested they “hound” Conservative MPs. She said the atmosphere was hostile at the event, and that some attendees were “hissing”, when they heard about gender-critical activist Posie Parker.
After her complaint, The Met reviewed the incident and established a “gender-critical network” to support employees who shared such views.
The tribunal, however, dismissed her harassment and discrimination claims. The tribunal found that the Met had the right to hold the event, and that its purpose was not to harass people with gender-critical beliefs.
Christina Morton, Employment Judge, ruled that “we were unable to identify in the contemporaneous documentation evidence of discrimination against gender-critical beliefs operating on any of those making these decisions.”
The tribunal found that the decisions taken in relation to this event were not motivated by discriminatory motives towards those who hold gender-critical views.
Met Police Responds to Tribunal Decision
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said that after the ruling: “This case shows the difficulty organizations face in finding a balance between supporting their trans colleagues and those who have gender critical beliefs.”
The Met said it was committed to supporting its entire staff and creating a respectful, inclusive and supportive working environment.
DC Newman argued in the hearing that her complaints had led to a feeling of isolation among the police. The Met created a new gender-critical staff network in response to her complaint. However, the tribunal did not find any evidence that the treatment she received was against employment law.
