The boss of the company that owns P&O Ferries will attend an investment summit in the UK despite the transport secretary’s scathing criticism, which included calls for a boycott of the shipping firm.
Sky News understands Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chief executive of Dubai-based DP World, will join the government’s Investment Summit on Monday.
It comes after reports that remarks by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh jeopardised a £1bn investment in the UK from DP World.
The event on Monday is intended to showcase Britain’s appeal to investors and will be attended by the prime minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
DP World’s investment in the port was under review following criticism by Ms Haigh and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner of its subsidiary P&O Ferries.
In March 2022, P&O Ferries caused huge controversy by sacking 800 British seafarers and replacing them with cheaper, largely foreign workers, a move it said was required to prevent the company from collapsing.
Announcing new legislation to protect seafarers on Wednesday, Ms Haigh described P&O Ferries as a “rogue operator” and said consumers should boycott the company.
In a press release issued with Ms Rayner, Ms Haigh said P&O Ferries’ actions were “a national scandal” and Ms Rayner described it as “an outrageous example of manipulation by an employer”.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said Ms Haigh’s call for a boycott of the ferry firm was “not the view of the government”.
Speaking to BBC Newscast about the situation, he said: “Well, look, I think we’ll resolve that.
“But… I think if you look at the last three or four weeks, you’ve seen £40-plus billion worth of investment.”
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In a press release issued with Ms Rayner, Ms Haigh said P&O’s actions were “a national scandal” and Ms Rayner described it as “an outrageous example of manipulation by an employer”.
Labour MP Liam Byrne has defended Ms Haigh, saying she was “absolutely right” to express her view that the behaviour of P&O Ferries was “completely unacceptable”.
Mr Byrne, who is also the chairman of the House of Commons Business and Trade Committee, said the ferry firm’s past treatment of its workers is “the kind of behaviour that we can’t have in this country”.
But he added that the government’s Employment Rights Bill would provide a “very clear framework” on how companies can treat workers, which would “bite on” firms like P&O Ferries.
When asked about any movement on the £1bn investment, a senior government source told Sky News: “It’s for companies to announce their investments but warm engagement continues. We look forward to a successful summit, showing that with this Labour government, Britain is open for business.”
A Number 10 spokeswoman said: “Investors are coming to our summit on Monday because they have renewed confidence in Britain, thanks to the stability and seriousness this Labour government brings.”
P&O Ferries, which is owned by a different company to P&O Cruises, operates routes across the Channel, North Sea and from Britain to the island of Ireland.
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