British government scrutinises DP World over P&O sackings

The British government will review all contracts it has with P&O Ferries and DP World after the roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) carrier sparked a national controversy by sacking 800 employees.

However, Chancellor Rishi Sunak told the BBC that the government will not treat DP World’s ownership and operation of free ports in the UK in the same matter as the P&O scandal.

With DP World’s London Gateway and Southampton container terminals playing a key role in the Thames and Solent free ports, unions are calling for the Dubai-based company to be barred from involvement in these projects.