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RCN reveals details of presidential candidates’ disqualification

College’s former congress chair Stuart McKenzie says he is one of those barred, as college explains why it suspended election
RCN sign outside RCN headquarters, Cavendish Square, London

College’s former congress chair Stuart McKenzie says he is one of those barred, as college explains why it suspended election

This story was originally published on 20 August and updated on 21 August 2020

RCN sign outside RCN headquarters, Cavendish Square, London
The RCN has not yet set out a timeline to resume the election

The RCN has revealed more details about the disqualification of two candidates in the college’s presidential election.

The move follows news on 14 August that the ballot would be postponed, after the college received complaints about the campaign.

Now the RCN has published an FAQ-style document to explain its actions.

Use of RCN resources to promote candidates

The document states there is ‘unequivocal documentary evidence’ that the disqualified candidates had sought access to RCN social media channels, including the Facebook pages of RCN branches and forums, the RCN student page, the RCN Student Ambassador page, and the RCN NQN (Newly Qualified Nurse) page.

Additionally, the disqualified candidates gained access to certain branches and were able to promote their campaigns at virtual meetings, the document states.

RCN’s election rules forbid candidates from using RCN resources to promote their campaigns.

The FAQs document gives no clue as to the identify of the disqualified candidates, saying there is no wish to cause them distress.

However, mental health nurse Stuart McKenzie, who chaired RCN congress from 2015-18, confirmed in a tweet today that he is one of them

No right of challenge

The document makes plain the candidates do not have a right to challenge the decision to disqualify them.

However, it adds that if candidates believe their disqualification was unreasonable, they can complain to the government’s trade union certification officer.

The RCN has not set a timetable for the resumption of the election but said it aims to do so as soon as possible.

Nursing Standard invited the RCN to comment on Mr McKenzie’s Twitter statement.


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