Mr Hain, a former Welsh Secretary, said the minister's "curious statement" was at variance with constructive meetings he had had with other ministers, including David Cameron.

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In a statement, a BBC spokesperson said the corporation had had "constructive meetings" with the unions in recent weeks but said its position on compulsory redundancies remained unchanged.

BBC: staff strike date announced

And I will say that China is playing a quite constructive role at these meetings.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

"These meetings have been constructive, are ongoing, and are due to conclude mid-February, " she said.

BBC: Union plea over lost Birmingham Hovis contract

Our meetings were always constructive, allowing us to reaffirm the strength of our alliance, an alliance that is firmly based upon shared values and mutual trust.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama and President Lee Press Availability

You described the tone of the meetings as frank and constructive.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

We discussed the impasse that we're currently at with respect to the budget, and I thought the meetings were frank, they were constructive, and what they did was narrow the issues and clarify the issues that are still outstanding.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama's Statement on Budget Negotiations