The firm, which specialises in managing reputational risk, is run by former Edinburgh City Council media manager Stewart Argo.
NHS Fife said the training was commissioned under local and national procurement rules for purchases under £5,000, but refused to disclose the exact cost, claiming this would “prejudice substantially our commercial interests”.
In its FOI response to the paper, NHS Fife said: “NHS Fife did not bring in any external communications help during the Sandie Peggie employment tribunal hearings. Some members of the executive team and the non-executive board members have recently undertaken presentation skills training that touched on but was not limited to the outcome of the employment tribunal. This was provided by an external agency, Lighthouse PR Ltd.”
Ms Peggie’s own legal team has also engaged a PR firm.
Communications company Media House, run by former national newspaper editor Jack Irvine, is expected to manage interview requests following the judgment.
It is widely expected that the ruling in the tribunal will be published before Christmas..
Earlier this month, it emerged that outgoing NHS Fife Chief Executive Carol Potter signed off on a controversial press statement issued during the tribunal.
The 1,700-word release, which sought to address what the board described as “misinformation” surrounding the case, was repeatedly amended following criticism from the nurse’s legal team and the Scottish Information Commissioner.
Before it was changed, the statement appeared to link threats of violence against NHS staff to Sex Matters, the gender-critical campaign group supporting Ms Peggie.
David Hamilton, the Scottish Information Commissioner, described it as “petulant” and said it “cast doubt” on previous assurances the board had given him.
He even warned that NHS Fife could face contempt of court proceedings in the Court of Session.
In October, The Herald revealed that John Swinney had personally requested a briefing from NHS Fife over the statement.
Fife Health Board confirmed to Ms Peggie’s legal team that Ms Potter okayed the initial release in response to further legal action lodged against the board by the nurse.
NHS Fife revealed last month that Ms Potter is to take early retirement from her £145,000 a year role.
The Chief Executive has insisted her decision to stand down was unrelated to the tribunal judgment.
Ms Peggie is suing NHS Fife and Dr Beth Upton after she objected to the transgender medic’s use of the female changing rooms on Christmas Eve 2023.
She has worked at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy for more than 30 years, but was suspended by the health board in January 2024.
An internal investigation cleared her of all gross misconduct allegations in July 2025, days before the employment tribunal resumed in Dundee.
Ms Peggie took her health board to tribunal, alleging harassment and victimisation under the Equality Act 2010 on the basis of her gender-critical beliefs.