Conservative MP and Shadow Equalities Minister Claire Coutinho has come out in support of Jennifer Melle, a Christian nurse who was suspended for misgendering a convicted paedophile.
Coutinho has pledged to write down to the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), based on the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), which is supporting the senior nurse.
Melle was suspended in April after she referred to the patient’s biological male sex when discussing treatment with a physician and addressed the patient as ‘Mr’.
The patient, who claims to be a girl but is serving time at a high-security men’s prison, is then alleged to have racially abused Melle by referring to her as a “n****r”.
Despite the abuse, it was Melle who faced sanctions. As well as being suspended from her job, she received a warning and was referred to the regulator, a move that might see her barred from nursing.
Coutinho said she would present any responses from the NHS trust and the NMC to Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The NMC has previously described Melle as a “risk” to patients attributable to her misgendering of the patient.
Coutinho, who has met Melle in person, said, “Jennifer had an unblemished popularity until this incident.
“Even when faced with horrific racial abuse at work from a convicted paedophile, she acted in a well mannered way and professionalism.
“The treatment she has suffered due to radical trans ideology beggars belief.
“Common sense must prevail, and this dedicated nurse have to be allowed to return to work as soon as possible.”
A full employment tribunal hearing is predicted to happen in 2026.
Melle said she was “deeply encouraged” by Coutinho’s “willingness to listen and have interaction with” her case.
“I’m determined to pursue justice, not only for myself, but for each nurse who’s being forced to disclaim biological reality and their Christian beliefs or face losing their profession,” she said, adding that she felt like she had been “discarded” by the NHS.
“I haven’t done anything mistaken. I spoke truthfully, I acted professionally, and I stood by my Christian beliefs. But it seems like there’s no place for people like me in today’s NHS. That’s heartbreaking.”
She said that the fear of losing her profession was “overwhelming” as she accused Streeting and the Royal College of Nursing of leaving her “to face this alone”.
“That betrayal cuts deep,” she said.
“My faith in Jesus is what’s keeping me strong, and I do know that so long as I’m following His truth, I never should be afraid.”
CLC chief executive Andrea Williams called on the NHS to reinstate Melle “directly”, saying her case had turn out to be “a critical test across the ideological policy framework of the NHS and the way freedom of belief and speech are protected inside it”.
“The NHS has chosen to prioritise contested gender-identity policies over biological reality and the protected beliefs of a conscientious nurse,” she said.
She continued, “Some NHS Trusts proceed to disregard or dilute the Supreme Court’s clear rulings on these issues. Such actions are illegal and have to 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 in danger.
“Our aim isn’t only to see Jennifer reinstated but in addition to make sure justice and proper governance across the NHS.”
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