P&O Ferries is confident of avoiding a fine for sacking nearly 800 seafarers without notice. The annual report of the DP World-owned ferry operator, seen by the PA news agency, said its directors think an ongoing inquiry by the Insolvency Service will not result in any punishment.
Some 786 of the company's workers were made redundant without consultation on March 17 2022, leading to widespread criticism from politicians and trade unions. They were replaced by cheaper agency staff. A criminal investigation into what happened did not result in a prosecution.
In relation to the ongoing civil inquiry, P&O Ferries' annual report said: "The Insolvency Service would need to show that any action it proposed to take was in the public interest and just and equitable. The directors consider that it will not be able to demonstrate this and consequentially there is a less than remote possibility of a related economic outflow in relation to any such action."
