The boss of P&O Ferries has refused to reinstate nearly 800 sacked staff as he claimed the move would "cause the company's collapse".
Chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite told the Government that the firm would not U-turn on the decision to fire hundreds of seafarers to replace them with cheaper agency staff.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps gave the firm an ultimatum to rehire staff on their previous wages or face consequences.
