Transport Secretary Louise Haigh’s call for a boycott of P&O Ferries, reportedly putting a £1 billion investment in the UK at risk, has been rebuked by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. He stated that Haigh’s comments were “not the view of the Government.”
The parent company of P&O Ferries, Dubai-based DP World, had planned to announce a significant investment in the UK at the Government’s International Investment Summit. However, reports emerged suggesting that this investment is now under review following the criticism from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Transport Secretary Haigh towards P&O Ferries.
In March 2022, P&O Ferries faced criticism from politicians of both major parties after dismissing 800 British seafarers and replacing them with cheaper overseas staff. The company justified this move as necessary to avoid bankruptcy.
Sir Keir Starmer addressed the situation, indicating that the Government’s stance does not align with Haigh’s call for a boycott of P&O Ferries. He expressed confidence that issues surrounding the DP World investment would be resolved, highlighting over £40 billion in recent investment.
Furthermore, Rayner and Haigh introduced legislation aiming to prevent similar actions by companies like P&O Ferries, with Haigh labelling them as “cowboy operators.” Haigh openly stated her personal boycott of P&O Ferries for the past two-and-a-half years and encouraged consumers to do the same.
In response to the current developments, DP World chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem reportedly ordered the cancellation of the investment announcement tied to the London Gateway port, opting to review the situation instead.
Despite these challenges, the Government is preparing for the high-profile investment summit to showcase existing commitments and attract new deals. The Department for Business and Trade faced a data protection issue when an email revealed business leaders’ contact details to unintended recipients, including renowned figures like Bernard Arnault.
The blunder, which exposed the contact details of prominent individuals, like Arnault, to other recipients, was reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office. The incident adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing discussions surrounding P&O Ferries’ operations and investments in the UK.