Time to wrap up - here are today’s main stories:
Goodnight, GW
P&O Ferries owner DP World loses status as partner in Solent freeport
The Dubai-based owner of P&O Ferries has lost its status as a formal partner in one of the government’s biggest freeport projects, after widespread public anger over the firing without notice of 800 workers last month.
Ministers have confirmed that DP World, the Emirati logistics giant behind P&O, no longer had a central role as a “partner” in the Solent freeport after the resignation of its UK commercial director from the scheme’s board last week.
It comes after questions in the Lords from the Green party peer Natalie Bennett who had asked the government what plans were being put in place to withdraw any freeport contracts as a result of the sackings.
Speaking for the government, Stephen Greenhalgh, a levelling up minister, responded on Wednesday night saying:
“On 28 March 2022 DP World resigned from the Solent freeport board and are no longer a partner in the freeport consortium.”
