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  • Minister condemns online abuse of RCM leader

    Date published: 2 August 2021

    Health Minister Robin Swann has strongly condemned online abuse targeted at the chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, Gill Walton.

    The social media abuse came after the RCM chief executive had encouraged pregnant women to come forward for vaccination against Covid-19.

    Mr Swann stated: “This vile abuse is frankly appalling and is sadly becoming all too commonplace.

    “I want to take this opportunity to express my solidarity with Gill Walton and to thank her for encouraging vaccination. It is very important that pregnant women get the jab.

    “There should be no place in public debate for abusive behaviour or bogus conspiracy theories. We have to be better than this. I stand with Gill.”

    Notes to editors:

    1. For media enquiries please contact DoH Press Office by email: pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk.
    2. Follow us on twitter @healthdpt.
    3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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