The decision by P&O Ferries to sack nearly 800 workers has sparked criminal and civil investigations to be launched, it has been confirmed.
The company has been under fire since announcing the news without warning on March 17.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng confirmed today (Friday, April 1) that the Insolvency Service has started "formal criminal and civil investigations".
In the letter, dated April 1 and posted on Twitter by Kwasi Kwarteng, the Inspector General of the Insolvency Service Dean Beale wrote: "As you know, on 17 March 2022, a total of 786 employees were dismissed across three companies under the P&O Ferries banner.
"In your letter you asked the Insolvency Service to undertake an urgent and thorough enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the redundancies made by P&O Ferries, to determine whether the law has been complied with and consider prompt and appropriate action where it has not.
"Following its enquiries, I can confirm that the Insolvency Service has initiated both formal criminal and civil investigations into the circumstances surrounding the recent redundancies made by P&O Ferries.
"We will publish a short statement today confirming the above position and as you will appreciate, whilst these investigations are being progressed.
"It would not be appropriate for me to make further comment at this time. I will provide a further update in due course."
