The Insolvency Service has launched criminal and civil investigations into the sacking of nearly 800 seafarers by P&O Ferries, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said.
He tweeted: “Following my letter to the Insolvency Service last week, formal criminal and civil investigations into P&O Ferries have now commenced.
"Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and I will continue to follow this matter closely as the investigations progress.”
Shapps also wrote: “The Insolvency Service has reviewed P&O Ferries’ actions and placed it under criminal investigation for its actions.
“Peter Hebblethwaite stood before MPs and admitted to breaking the law, and his actions must now be scrutinised.”
The Inspector General of the Insolvency Service confirmed the investigations in a letter to the Business Secretary.
The letter stated: “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.”
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