Criminal and civil investigations launched into P&O Ferries’ sackings

CRIMINAL and civil investigations have been launched into the P&O Ferries’ sackings.

The company was widely criticised for making nearly 800 seafarers redundant without notice on March 17.

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Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said yesterday the Insolvency Service has started the probes.

P&O Ferries chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite told a joint hearing of the Commons’ business and transport committees that his company broke the law by not consulting with trade unions before sacking workers.

And Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on Wednesday unveiled a package of nine measures to “strengthen seafarers’ employment rights” in response to the dismissals.

These included plans to create “minimum wage corridors” on ferry routes from the UK.

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He also urged UK ports to refuse access to boats carrying seafarers paid below the minimum wage, and asked the Insolvency Service to consider disqualifying as a director.

Mick Lynch, RMT union boss, said: “There are clear grounds to detain P&O’s ships while investigations are ­completed.”

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