Keir Starmer has reprimanded the transport secretary after he described P&O Ferries as a “rogue operator” and appeared to be calling for a boycott of the company.
Louise Haig criticized P&O Ferries on Wednesday, calling it a “rogue operator” while announcing new worker protections. She also said she is boycotting the ferry company and has told the Department of Transportation not to do any business with the company or its ownership group.
Shortly after her comments, DP World, the owner of Dubai-based P&O Ferries, put on hold its announcement of a reported £1 billion investment in the UK.
“I think we can solve it,” the Prime Minister said on the BBC's Newscast podcast.
DP World's announcement of plans to expand London Gateway Port was due to be a key part of the Labor Government's investment summit on Monday. The event is a highlight of attracting foreign money to the UK, and Mr Starmer and Prime Minister Rachel Reeves were also due to attend.
Asked whether Mr Hague had been wrong to describe the company as a “cowboy” and encourage boycotts, he added: “Well, look, that's not the government's view.”
A Downing Street spokesperson said on Friday following news of DP World's disinvestment: “We welcome P&O Ferries' commitment to complying with new seafarers legislation that protects against harmful fire rehiring practices.”
It said it would continue to “work closely” with DP World, which also owns Southampton Port.
P&O Ferries, a subsidiary of DP World since 2019, will fire 800 crew members without warning in 2022 and replace them with agency staff who work long hours and are paid less than minimum wage in some cases. This has united politicians in their anger.
Mr Rayner this week announced a move to abolish redundancy practices in the Employment Rights Bill, calling P&O Ferries' actions “outrageous” and “exactly why we are taking bold action”. Ta.
Mr Haig said in an interview on Wednesday that he had boycotted P&O Ferries and had told the Department for Transport not to do any business with the ferry company or its ownership group.
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Mr Haig said on Wednesday: “I have instructed my department to have absolutely no contact with P&O Ferries or DP World unless there is literally a safety reason. The department has no relationship with them and of course I don't have anything to do with it.”
Labor MP Liam Byrne, chairman of Westminster's Commerce and Industry Committee, told BBC Radio 4's Today program on Saturday: Lou Haig was absolutely right to say that the past conduct of P&O, which is owned by DP World, was completely unacceptable.
“Let’s not forget that the call for a boycott was originally made by Grant Shapps… but now that the Employment Rights Bill has been passed, we all need businesses to play by the rules. I hope so.”
The Dubai company owns Southampton Port and London Gateway and was involved in the creation of some of Rishi Sunak's controversial first freeports.
Kevin Hollinrake, the shadow business and trade minister, said the incident was a “body blow to the government”, adding: “In just 100 days, new investment will be coming in without being intimidated by anti-business rhetoric or concerns. It should come,” he added. On the impact of Labour's employment and tax policies. ”
