A judge found that the centre’s chief executive, Mridul Wadhwa, was behind a “heresy hunt” against Roz Adams – who held “gender critical” beliefs.

Ms Adams, 52, had at first welcomed the centre’s trans-inclusive policies, the tribunal heard. But, in December 2020, she went for a walk with Maggie Chapman, a Green MSP, who was then the chief operating officer for the centre.

The judgment states: “This was the first time that [Adams] heard what she described … as the ‘mantra’ that ‘trans women are women’. She felt concerned that there was no real definition or clarification associated with this statement. She felt it was odd.

“Once she started work she felt it became more and more apparent that there were issues regarding the way that gender issues were dealt with in the organisation … She described things around the issue as being ‘eggshelly’.”

Ian McFatridge, the employment judge, said that Mridul Wadhwa, who is ERCC chief executive and a trans woman, was a key figure in an internal investigation that “should not have been launched in the first place”.

The judge said that the review “was clearly motivated by a strong belief among senior management and some of the claimant’s colleagues that the claimant’s views were inherently hateful”.

He added: “It is clear that [Wadhwa] was involved in the process since she was the one who selected and ­contacted who would deal with the ­various stages of the disciplinary and grievance process.”

Ms Adams said: “With relief, I welcome the ruling of the Employment Tribunal. They unanimously found that Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ERCC) unlawfully discriminated against me on the grounds of my sex-realist belief and constructively unfairly dismissed me. This is a victory for all people who have been subjected to sexual violence who need a choice of worker, and group support on the basis of sex in order to feel safe.”

She added: “It is tragic to me that this ended in Tribunal. For three years I consistently offered to enable discussion and I firmly believe that we will only find solutions that work for everyone through fearless, respectful, well-informed dialogue. I hope this ruling supports that to happen wherever it is needed.”

Ms Adams was represented at the tribunal by Naomi Cunningham, of Outer Temple Chambers, instructed by Katy Wedderburn, partner, gunnercooke.