Tories demand reinstatement of NHS nurse 'betrayed after misgendering trans paedophile'

A nurse suspended "because of radical trans ideology" should be reinstated immediately, the Tories have demanded. Jennifer Melle, 40, faces being struck off for allegedly breaching patient confidentiality after she "misgendered" a convicted sex offender and received horrific abuse.

Before her suspension, the Ugandan-born single mother refused to use female pronouns for a biological male patient under her care. Committed Christian Ms Melle was disciplined after Patient X, who was born male but identifies as a woman, was taken to St Helier Hospital in Carshalton, Surrey, from a male prison for treatment for a urinary condition.

During his treatment, the nurse was called a n***** multiple times in an outburst of "horrific racial abuse" after the hospitalised inmate overheard her using male pronouns during a phone call with a senior doctor.

She was suspended by the trust on April 2 for an alleged breach of patient confidentiality and accused of potentially identifying the patient when she spoke about the racial abuse she suffered.

Ms Melle was referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the incident could see her struck off.

Pressure is now growing on Health Secretary Wes Streeting to act.

Furious shadow equalities minister Claire Coutinho, who has met Ms Melle and whose East Surrey constituency covers the hospital, said the nurse had been hung out to dry in a chilling example of the warped dogma that has infiltrated the public sector.

She told the Express: "Jennifer had an unblemished reputation until this incident.

"Even when faced with horrific racial abuse at work from a convicted paedophile, she acted with courtesy and professionalism.

"The treatment she has suffered because of radical trans ideology beggars belief. Common sense must prevail, and this dedicated nurse must be allowed to return to work as soon as possible."

Ms Coutinho, 40, was so distraught at the impact the scandal has had on the committed carer that she as promised to write to Mr Streeting, James Blythe, the interim boss of St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, and the NMC, to demand answers as to why someone with an unblemished 12-year record working in the NHS is being investigated and could ultimately be barred from ever working as a nurse again.

Ms Melle is being supported by the Christian Legal Centre and has launched legal proceedings against the trust for harassment, discrimination, and breaches of her human rights.

A full employment tribunal hearing is expected to be heard next year, two years after she was called to assist Patient X, who was brought for treatment on a male ward.

Medical records listed Patient X as male, but the name board beside the bed displayed a feminine name.

It is alleged Patient X screamed: "Do not call me Mr! I am a woman!" before racially abusing Ms Melle and lunging at her, and needed to be restrained.

Devout Christian Ms Melle said that while she could not refer to Patient X as a woman due to her deeply-held religious beliefs, she was willing to use the patient's chosen name.

She continued to attend to the needs of Patient X and provided pain relief. She was later investigated by the hospital for not respecting gender identity.

She received a final written warning, was referred to the NMC, and redeployed.

But in March, she broke her silence on the abuse, and on April 5, she was suspended for an alleged potential data breach. She remains off work and on full pay, but the ordeal has left her physically and mentally broken.

Ms Melle told the Express: "I am deeply encouraged by Ms Coutinho's willingness to listen and engage with my case. The past months have been overwhelming, emotionally, professionally, and spiritually. But I remain defiant.

"I will not be silenced, and I will not back down. I am determined to pursue justice, not just for myself, but for every nurse who is being forced to deny biological reality and their Christian beliefs or face losing their career.

"I'm a single mother. Every day I wake up with a knot in my stomach, wondering how I'll protect my future. I've given everything to the NHS, and now I feel discarded, like my faith and my integrity mean nothing.

"I haven't done anything wrong. I spoke truthfully, I acted professionally, and I stood by my Christian beliefs. But it feels like there's no place for people like me in today's NHS. That's heartbreaking."

She added: "There have been days I've broken down in tears, unable to breathe through the panic. The fear of losing my career is overwhelming, but I know right is on my side. I know I must pursue justice. I won't give up.

"I've felt abandoned, not just by my employer, but by the very institutions that are supposed to protect nurses. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and Mr Streeting have left me to face this alone. That betrayal cuts deep."

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting Melle's legal action, said: "Jennifer is a dedicated and compassionate nurse who has faced suspension and mistreatment for expressing truth, her Christian convictions and raising legitimate concerns.

"She has endured racial abuse and been silenced, while the trust has failed to address the actual misconduct at issue. Jennifer's case has become a critical test around the ideological policy framework of the NHS and how freedom of belief and speech are protected within it. She should be reinstated without delay.

"The NHS has chosen to prioritise contested gender-identity policies over biological reality and the protected beliefs of a conscientious nurse. Jennifer has not been disciplined for any professional failing, but for speaking truthfully and acting according to her conscience. This undermines the very principles on which the NHS was founded.

"This matter extends beyond one individual. It raises fundamental questions about freedom of belief in our public institutions. Some NHS Trusts continue to disregard or dilute the Supreme Court's clear rulings on these issues. Such actions are unlawful and must be challenged.

"The legal implications are profound. If NHS Trusts are permitted to discipline staff for holding or expressing biological reality, the rule of law itself is at risk. Our aim is not only to see Jennifer reinstated but also to ensure justice and proper governance across the NHS.

"Jennifer is a principled, courageous professional who deserves recognition, not censure. The Christian Legal Centre will continue to stand with her every step of the way."

Ms Melle is still registered with the NMC with no restrictions on her fitness to practice.

The Royal College of Nursing has refused to state whether it unequivocally supports Ms Melle.

St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust was asked whether any progress had been made in allowing her to return to work, but told the Express there was no update.

A spokesman referred us to a previous statement which said: "We expect all members of staff to follow professional standards such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council's code of conduct - this includes maintaining confidentiality for any patients in their care at all times.

"There is no excuse for racially abusing our staff and we're sorry that Ms Melle had this experience."