Kelly vs Leonardo UK Ltd

Tribunal will consider workplace toilet provision

Maria Kelly is employed by Leonardo UK, one of the UK’s leading aerospace companies. Ms Kelly is taking her employer to an employment tribunal. Leonardo has a policy that permits employees to use toilets aligned to their gender identity. Ms Kelly is claiming harassment, direct discrimination and indirection discrimination.

Current Status

The full merits hearing was heard at Edinburgh Employment Tribunal from 30 September 2025 through 3 October 2025.

On 3rd December 2025, Judge Michelle Sutherland dismissed all three of Ms Kelly's complaints. Read the judgment here.

Live Tweeting Sessions

Wednesday 1st October morning - Part one and Part two

Wednesday 1st October afternoon - Part one and Part two

Thursday 2nd October morning - Part one and part two

Thursday 2nd October afternoon - Part One and part two

Friday 3rd October 2025 morning - Part one and Part two

Friday 3rd October 2025 afternoon - Part one and part two

Wednesday 22 October 2025 morning, submission - Part one and part two

Wednesday 22 October 2025 afternoon - part one and part two

Abbreviations

J – Employment Judge Michelle Sutherland

P – Panel member

C/MK - Maria Kelly, claimant

NC - Barrister for MK

KW - Katy Wedderburn, solicitor for MK

R/L - Leonardo UK

ST - Susanne Tanner, KC, barrister for R

GC – Gender critical

GI – Gender identity

SST – Single sex toilets

SSS – Single sex spaces

EA or EQA – Equality Act 2010

SC – Supreme Court

JCC – Joint consultative committee at Leonardo

TW - Transwoman

F - Female

RR - Rachel Ruxton, Head of Inclusion and diversity

RC - Robin Collins

IP - Ian Pawley

AL - Andrew R Letton, Vice President People Shared Services, UK at Leonardo Ltd

S Sq - secret squirrel (toilet)

LM - Line Manager

JN - Jill Nairn

Press Coverage

This is a selection of recent and relevant press coverage about the recent 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.

3rd December 2025

BBC - Woman loses sex discrimination case after toilet complaint

Herald - Leonardo engineer loses trans-row toilet policy tribunal

22nd October 2025

Independent - Engineer suffered years of ‘gaslighting’ over trans toilet use, tribunal hears

2nd October 2025

Times - Leonardo UK: trans tribunal woman ‘shocked’ by suggestion she’d leak name

1st October 2025

Times - Leonardo UK: woman used ‘secret toilet’ due to trans colleague

Daily Record - Scots woman used 'secret toilet' at work due to transgender colleague, tribunal hears

This is Oxforshire - Engineer used ‘secret’ toilet after trans colleague encounter, tribunal told

BBC - Engineer used 'secret toilets' after trans colleague encounter

Telegraph - Woman forced to use ‘secret’ lavatory after finding trans colleague in female bathroom