Dr Butt was left feeling “upset” at being challenged and this showed in her reaction in an altercation which “escalated very quickly” and during which voices were raised on both sides.

The hearing was told: “[Dr Butt] perceived that she was being challenged by three colleagues who were supporting each other and that she had done nothing wrong…both she and Mrs Hytch became heated and talked in loud voices.

After no outcome was reached in an informal manner, Dr Butt escalated her complaint and said the situation which had made her “feel targeted” had not been handled “professionally or appropriately”.

She refused mediation and an independent investigation was launched in March 2023 as she complained of “deep-rooted problems” with discrimination.

The tribunal heard Dr Butt worked for an NHS Trust in Bradford but worked one day a week as a visiting consultant ophthalmologist at Airedale General Hospital, in Eastburn, West Yorkshire. On days she works, she carries out an ophthalmic surgery.

The panel heard there were hand hygiene guidelines in place which required staff to be “bare below the elbows to facilitate effective hand hygiene.”

Judge Ayre added: “The situation was not handled well by either party and as a result, it escalated quickly.

“It cannot however be said that the escalation was because of religion.

“There are plenty of altercations that take place in the workplace because both parties become angry and upset, and we find that was the case here.”