Ministers are pressing ahead with a legal challenge to halt planned strike by nurses.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) disclosed on Monday evening that the government is applying to the high court in London for a ruling that the action by nurses on Tuesday 2 May is illegal.
However, the health secretary, Steve Barclay, has abandoned an attempt to prevent all of the strikes to go ahead, which is scheduled to run from 8pm on Sunday 30 April to 8pm on Tuesday 2 May.
High Court
Barclay is now asking the high court in London to rule that the portion of the industrial action that is due to take place on 2 May is illegal because.
Steve’s argument is the RCN’s legal mandate to go on strike runs out at midnight on Monday 1 May.
The RCN’s general secretary, Pat Cullen, said the government’s “threat” was “wrong and indefensible”, Cullen also said: “The only way to deal with bullies is to stand up to them … including in court.”
Labour MP Kate Osborne tweeted: “Government clapped for nurses, calling them heroes during Covid-19. Now they are dragging @theRCN through the courts to stop strike action. There’s one easy way to resolve this dispute @SteveBarclay – pay the nurses what they deserve & need.”
Harry Eccles wrote: “f you wanted any proof that keeping NHS pay down is a political and ideological choice look no further. @SteveBarclay will spend tax payers money suing Nurses who have their legal mandate to strike. Get these clowns out of office, and save our NHS.”
This is always woth a re-watch!
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