A former security worker is challenging his 2025 dismissal, claiming he was fired for refusing to use transgender prisoners' pronouns due to his gender-critical beliefs.

David Toshack, a 51-year-old former soldier and trainee prison custody officer, is challenging his January 2025 dismissal from security firm GEOAmey at an employment tribunal in Edinburgh, alleging he was fired for holding gender-critical views, particularly refusing to use pronouns aligned with transgender prisoners' identities. He claims he was dismissed during his final training week for stating he would only use sex-based pronouns, asserting his beliefs were not hostile and that he was targeted for speaking out against transgender inclusion policies. Toshack acknowledged past social media posts used offensive language but denied intent to harm. He described his daughter’s transition and those of two friends as part of a “social contagion.” GEOAmey maintains it requires staff to use adopted gender pronouns and says Toshack was deemed unsuitable due to his beliefs, not policy violations. The company says it respects the tribunal process and will not comment publicly during the hearing, which continues.