"P&O Ferries will not face criminal proceedings for mass sacking of staff", 20 August 2022

P&O Ferries will not face criminal proceedings over its mass sacking of almost 800 workers earlier this year, it has emerged, sparking calls for a change in the law...

The business secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, had asked the Insolvency Service to investigate whether any criminal or civil offences had been committed.

But in a statement, the government agency said it had determined there was “no realistic prospect of a conviction”.

A spokesperson said: “After a full and robust criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the employees who were made redundant by P&O Ferries, we have concluded that we will not commence criminal proceedings.” A civil investigation is ongoing.

Tory MP Huw Merriman, who chairs the Commons transport committee, called for legislation to ensure that a company like P&O could not do the same thing again...

Nautilus International, a union which represents maritime professionals, said the Insolvency Service’s decision would be a blow to the “discarded” workers.

General secretary, Mark Dickinson, said: “This is a deeply disappointing decision and will be met with frustration and anger by the 786 seafarers and their families who were so cruelly discarded by P&O Ferries.

“Only one day after P&O Ferries parent company announced record profits, making the company’s claims on operational sustainability questionable, we are further let down by a system that fails to punish apparent criminal corporatism...

During the hearings in parliament, the business admitted it had broken the law that would have forced them to give notice of the firings. This was because no unions would have accepted its new proposals, bosses said at the time...

A government spokesperson told the BBC: “In sacking 800 dedicated staff on the spot, P&O Ferries not only acted callously but failed to uphold the high standards we expect of British businesses.

“Given their appalling behaviour, it’s very disappointing that the company will not face criminal proceedings.”