£1bn investment by P&O Ferries’ owner set to go ahead despite Transport Secretary’s jibe
A £1BILLION investment by P&O Ferries’ owner is set to go ahead, despite the Transport Secretary calling the firm a “cowboy operator”.
And the boss of Dubai-based DP World, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, will also still attend Sir Keir Starmer’s investment summit tomorrow after shrugging off the jibe from Louise Haigh.
It comes after an almighty fallout which overshadowed Sir Keir’s first 100 days in Government.
DP World is now expected to confirm a £1billion expansion of its London Gateway container port in Essex, a relief for the Prime Minister.
A senior Government source told The Sun on Sunday: “There has been high-level warm engagement. We are delighted they are coming.”
DP’s appearance was in doubt after Ms Haigh attacked it for replacing 800 P&O staff with cheaper workers and called for a customer boycott.
A Labour MP said: “Most people would agree with the sentiment of what she said — but calling for a boycott is far from ideal.”
And Shadow Business Secretary Kevin Hollinrake hit out: “Sir Keir Starmer’s government is in disarray. There is chaos at the top and ministers are out of their depth.”
DP World said: “Following constructive discussions with Government, we have been given the clarity we need.
“We look forward to participating in the summit.”
Ms Haigh was accused of “going rogue” this summer with her 15 per cent pay rise for train drivers.