P&O Ferries told it could face unlimited fine if sackings unlawful

Protests took place across the country about the sacking of 800 staff, including outside the offices of DP World in London. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/Reuters

The business secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, has warned P&O Ferries it could face an unlimited fine if its summary sacking of 800 British staff is found to have breached the law, as protests against the company’s actions took place at ports across the country.

Writing to the company on Friday, Kwarteng said he wanted to express, “in the strongest possible terms, the UK government’s anger and disappointment”.