A major cross-party petition has been launched urging Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust to drop disciplinary action against senior nurse Jennifer Melle, who faces dismissal for going to the media about refusing to use the preferred pronouns of a male patient, convicted of child sex offences, who was ‘identifying’ as female.
A disciplinary hearing in front of her employer is scheduled at the Epsom Gateway building in Surrey at 3.30pm on Tuesday 20 January 2026. Jennifer, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, also faces a full Employment Tribunal hearing in April 2026.
This latest hearing follows the cancellation by her employer of the previous date set for the internal hearing where she could have been sacked in December 2025. That hearing was cancelled after political intervention, including a public statement and letter from Shadow Equalities Minister Claire Coutinho MP, who warned that taking action against Jennifer would be a “grave injustice.”
Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Conservative Party, has also voiced support for Jennifer:
The new cross-party petition, titled “Save Jennifer,” calls on the Trust to halt the disciplinary process, stand down the panel, and allow her to return to work.
The petition follows the landmark legal win of the Darlington nurses, where an employment tribunal found that an NHS Trust had harassed and discriminated against them on the grounds of indirect sex discrimination.
Jennifer said: “I am deeply moved by the support. This petition shows that people of all parties believe in fairness and truth. I have always sought to provide the highest standard of care to every patient, but I cannot compromise reality or my faith. I pray that the Trust will do the right thing and allow me to return to the job I love.”
Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said:
“Following the win in the Darlington nurses’ case the Trust should immediately end the disciplinary process against Jennifer and reinstate her to the job she loves.
“The issue is not complex, the law is not complex. The Trust just needs to do the right thing and follow the law.
“We are grateful to politicians from across the political spectrum who have signed this petition in support of Jennifer. It speaks volumes about the times we are living in that it now takes courage for elected representatives to stand up against such an obvious injustice.
Jennifer has suffered at the hands of the NHS for nothing more than believing and expressing a basic truth, that men are men and women are women, a conviction rooted in her Christian faith.”
What happened to Jennifer?
Jennifer, 40, from Croydon, has served at St Helier Hospital for twelve years with an unblemished record. While on duty, she cared for a prisoner patient known as “Mr X”, a biological male and convicted paedophile. During a clinical discussion, Jennifer referred to him using biologically accurate pronouns, prompting Mr X to respond with racial abuse and physical threat, requiring security intervention.
Despite being the victim, Jennifer received a first written warning in October 2024 and was referred to the NMC as “a potential risk” for not using Mr X’s preferred identity. The Trust has never apologised for the abuse she endured and has continued to treat her as the offender.
Her story gained national attention after appearing on front pages on 23 March 2025, drawing widespread public support, including from J.K. Rowling. Colleagues initially expressed gratitude for her courage, but staff were soon instructed not to speak publicly about the case or engage with Jennifer.
Days later, Jennifer was removed from duty during clinic hours and summoned to an “informal” meeting. The next morning, she was told she was being investigated for a “potential data breach”, without specifics, and was immediately suspended, escorted from the premises, and banned from returning. She has remained suspended while the Trust has strengthened policies to classify “misgendering” as an explicit breach.
Jennifer believes the data breach allegation is a pretext to punish her for speaking out and that the investigation has failed to consider whistleblowing protections.
She describes this period as “the darkest of my life,” marked by fear, anxiety, and uncertainty as a single mother facing the potential loss of her livelihood.
Her case is seen as a major test of how NHS Trusts will reconcile gender identity policies with Supreme Court authority affirming that biological sex defines “woman” under equality law. Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, she is pursuing legal action for harassment, discrimination, victimisation, and breaches of her freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
Her full Employment Tribunal hearing is set for April 2026.