P&O Ferries will not face criminal proceedings for mass sacking of staff

theguardian.com:

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 company provoked public anger and was hauled in front of MPs to answer questions when it sacked hundreds of workers without notice in March.

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.

“The disgrace is on P&O but the disgrace will be on parliament if we don’t fix it and stop it from happening again,” Merriman said.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The law isn’t strong enough and as MPs we need to legislate to make sure that it is.

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

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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