Tribunal judgment marks win for trans+ community

A tribunal against the Met police, filed by a ‘gender critical’ person who complained about their trans inclusion, has finally come to its conclusion. The judgment, handed down by Employment Judge Morton, marks a win for trans activists and voices after it was found that the claimant’s claims of “direct discrimination because of religion or belief under s13 Equality Act 2010” and “harassment related to religion or belief under s26 Equality Act” are “not well founded”.

“Both claims are therefore dismissed.”

The tribunal came following an event at New Scotland Yard about which the claimant, Ms M Newman, made a formal complaint to the Met Police. When she didn’t get the result, she wanted from the formal complaint, she then took the Met Police to a tribunal.

Birmingham Pride’s Eva Echo, alongside fellow trans activist, Saba Ali were named in the tribunal as part of the complaint. In 2023, Eva Echo and Saba Ali spoke at an event at New Scotland Yard as part of Trans Day of Visibility. The event was open to Trans+ staff and allies, if they wanted to attend.

After the event, the ‘gender critical’ Ms Newman, who attended, made a formal complaint to the Metropolitan Police about the trans+ inclusion. She stated that it was harassment of protected belief and discrimination. She specifically had an issue with Eva Echo’s speech which was about challenging misinformation when it comes to trans+ issues.

During the tribunal, media outlets were eager to report on proceedings but failed to highlight that the claimant was a journalist, with a long history of being ‘gender critical’; prior to joining the Met and becoming a dectective constable. Two years later, Eva and Saba finally got some closure after reportedly having their reputations attacked, being misgendered and dehumanised throughout, and being used to attack the Met Police by the claimant.

Speaking about the win in an Instagram reel, Eva Echo said: “It’s been hell having to go through that over the last couple of years and it’s contributed towards the struggle I recently opened up about.

But, this is a significant victory for the trans+ community because it shows gender critics are not invincible.

Just because they’ve got cigars, just because they’ve got money and champagne, does not mean they have truth on their side.

Most importantly, it gives us hope.  We are able to win against them, just by being ourselves, by existing and speaking our truth. We can prevail.

And allies, you can really help by stepping up and shielding us when times get difficult.”