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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Kate Devlin

Health secretary accused of ‘refusing’ to negotiate with striking nurses’ leader over her gender

Steve Barclay RCN Pat Cullen Rachel Maclean
PA Wire

The health secretary is embroiled in a sexism storm after he was accused of being unwilling to negotiate with the leader of striking nurses because she is a woman who mainly represents women.

Steve Barclay was also accused of being a “bullyboy” by Pat Cullen from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), whose members are due to take part in unprecedented industrial action on 15 and 20 December.

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