A UK tribunal ruled against engineer Maria Kelly’s discrimination claim over transgender toilet use, upholding Leonardo UK’s inclusive policy.

Maria Kelly, an engineer at Leonardo UK, lost her employment tribunal case challenging the company’s policy allowing transgender employees to use women’s toilets. The tribunal, led by Judge Michelle Sutherland, dismissed her claims of sex discrimination and harassment, stating the policy caused no disadvantage to female staff, privacy concerns could be addressed with single-occupancy facilities, and the policy was proportionate to its aim. Kelly, who began using a “secret” toilet after encountering a transgender colleague in 2023, plans to appeal, arguing the ruling contradicts the UK Supreme Court’s April 2024 decision defining sex in the Equality Act as biological. Critics say the judgment undermines that ruling, while Leonardo UK affirmed its inclusive policies and said it will review upcoming equality guidance.