The government will take a nursing union to court next week in an attempt to stop its latest strike action.

Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) are due to walk-out for 48 hours from 8pm on Sunday night until 8pm on Tuesday 2 May.

But health secretary Steve Barclay has written to RCN boss Pat Cullen, saying the union’s current six-month strike mandate runs out at midnight on 1 May.

Politics live: Sunak faces new investigation into possible code of conduct breach

After talks to solve the issue last week failed, Mr Barclay said: “I therefore regretfully provided notice of my intent to pursue legal action with a view to protecting patients, NHS workers and RCN members whilst continuing to seek a way to resolve this through official channels.”

Ms Cullen said the RCN had told the government such action was “wrong and indefensible”, but “the threat sadly became a reality”.

In an email to members, she added: “The only way to deal with bullies is to stand up to them – including in court.

More from Politics

“It’s so wrong for the government to use taxpayers’ money to drag our profession through the courts.

“We’re determined to show that the nursing profession is strong and determined and defend our members’ right to strike.”

In a statement released after the news broke, Mr Barclay said he had been “left with no choice but to proceed with legal action”.

He added: “I firmly support the right to take industrial action within the law – but the government cannot stand by and let a plainly unlawful strike action go ahead nor ignore the request of NHS Employers.

“We must also protect nurses by ensuring they are not asked to take part in an unlawful strike.”