James Esses vs Metanoia Institute, the UK Council for Psychotherapy & Pamela Gawler-Wright
Background
James Esses was expelled from his five year MSc therapist training course and notified of his expulsion via email from Metanoia Institute (accredited by Middlesex University), his course provider. Esses had lodged a public petition that sought to safeguard therapy and counselling for vulnerable children with gender dysphoria. The petition subsequently got 10,000 signatures and a response from the government in support of the safeguards Esses was seeking. A social media backlash culminated in his expulsion.
The email informed Esses that he was expelled with immediate effect, his university email address was immediately blocked, as was access to the student portal. Esses asserts that he was never provided with the grounds or evidence for expulsion or chance of appeal. Esses also claimed separately that an individual running a training event for UKCP made a number of negative, false and damaging remarks about him and his case. That claim, against UKCP and an individual not yet named, has been consolidated into Esses’ original claim.
The claim is in the Employment Tribunal, because both Respondents provide workplace qualifications. These are litigated in the Employment Tribunal because of section 53 of the Equality Act 2010.
Akua Reindorf, appearing for the claimant.
Current status
There was preliminary hearing in June 2022 that considered a ‘strike-out’ application from UKCP and a further respondent (an independent contractor to UKCP) , as well as other preliminary legal matters. That application for strike out was unsuccessful with regard to UKCP but successful in that the further respondent was struck out. UKCP and the Metanoia Institute will be respondents in a full tribunal hearing. No date has been set for that hearing.
UPDATE on 11th Dec 2023: James Esses announced on Twitter/X and Crowdjustice page that he has reached a settlement with UKCP.
UKCP posted this statement on X/Twitter at 12.23 on 11th December 2023
James also issued this statement on 13th December.
UPDATE 14th August 2024: James Esses announced via Twitter/X that he and Metanoia Institute had reached a settlement.
Live-tweet threads - preliminary hearing
Morning 14 June 2022 - case management including replacement of the employment judge for reasons of illness
Afternoon 14 June 2022 - further case management, testimony expected tomorrow, 15 June
Morning 15 June 2022 - short case management session, then private session
Afternoon 15 June 2022 - Sunita Thakore , interim registrar of UKCP gave evidence
Morning 16 June 2022 (1) Morning 16 June 2022 (2)- evidence from James Esses
Afternoon 16 June 2022 - further evidence from James Esses, case management
Preliminary hearing has concluded. The tribunal judge asked for written submissions only due by 4 pm, 1 July 2022.
Abbreviations
Claimants & counsel:
JE = James Esses
PD - Solicitor - Peter Daly of Doyle Clayton
AR - Barrister - Akua Reindorf, of Cloisters
Respondents & counsel
UKCP - UK Council for Psychotherapy
MI - Metanoia Institute
PGW - Pamela Gawler-Wright, an individual running a seminar for UKCP
CG = Charlotte Goodman, Counsel for Metanoia
TB = Tom Brown, Counsel for UKCP
RW = Robin Moira White, Counsel for PGW
Witnesses & other parties
ST = Sunita Thakore, interim Registrar of UKCP
DD = Dominic Davies - Founder of ‘Pink Therapy’
SB = Simcha Burton - Therapist who made a complaint about JE to Metanoia
AM = Alan McConnon - Former UKCP Registrar
SN = Sarah Niblock - CEO of UKCP
MM = Dr Maya Mukamel - Metanoia Director of Studies
SOJ + Sheila Owen-Jones - CEO of Metanoia
CW = Professor Carrie Weston - Deputy CEO of Metanoia
Press coverage
This section includes links to a selection of press coverage about the case. These links are included without comment and are not endorsed by Tribunal Tweets. This is a sample of coverage only - it is not comprehensive. Please DM our main Twitter account to submit coverage from an established news outlet. Any paywalled article must be archived.
15 Aug 2024
Guardian - Student psychotherapist wins apology over expulsion for gender-critical views
14 Aug 2024
The Times - Apology for gender-critical student expelled from master’s course
11 Dec 2023
Gript - Trainee Therapist expelled for view on trans therapy reaches settlement
20 Oct 2022
The Times - Former barrister ejected by college over gender beliefs wins right to sue
19 Oct 2022
7 Aug 2022
VIDEO: New Culture Forum - Fired by Childline for my child safety concerns
13 May 2022
The Telegraph - ‘I questioned why children were being encouraged to transition – and it cost me my dream career’
27 April 2022
VIDEO: Triggernometry - "Children are being irresponsibly damaged" - James Esses
25 April 2022
The Critic - Trans activism before medical standards
29 March 202
VIDEO: Unleashed - Safeguarding children
13 Feb 2022
VIDEO : Free Speech Nation - Counsellor axed over gender row
11 Feb 2022
Family Education Trust - Interview with James Esses
4 Aug 2021
3 Aug 2021
VIDEO: Benjamin Boyce - Cancelled out of Counselling