THE Insolvency Service has launched criminal and civil investigations into the sacking of nearly 800 seafarers by P&O Ferries, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has said.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps also confirmed an investigation was under way after the firm cut hundreds of staff with no notice on March 17.
It comes just days after P&O boss Peter Hebblethwaite insisted the company did not break the law with the mass sacking at Holyrood's transport committee.
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Hebblethwaite also told the committee that 39 Scottish jobs would be lost.
And now, it has been revealed that the firm will face both criminal and civil investigations into the move that was heavily criticised.
Kwarteng 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.”
Following my letter to the Insolvency Service last week, formal criminal and civil investigations into P&O Ferries have now commenced.
— Kwasi Kwarteng (@KwasiKwarteng) April 1, 2022
Transport Secretary @GrantShapps and I will continue to follow this matter closely as the investigations progress. pic.twitter.com/CdtInufaIS
Shapps added: "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 Kwarteng.
In the letter, dated April 1 and posted on Twitter by the Business Secretary, 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.
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“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.
BREAKING 🚨The Insolvency Service has reviewed P&O Ferries’ actions and placed it under criminal investigation for its actions.
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) April 1, 2022
Peter Hebblethwaite stood before MPs and admitted to breaking the law, and his actions must now be scrutinised.
"It would not be appropriate for me to make further comment at this time. I will provide a further update in due course.”
A statement from the Insolvency Service said: "Following its enquiries, the Insolvency Service has commenced formal criminal and civil investigations into the circumstances surrounding the recent redundancies made by P&O Ferries.
"As these are ongoing investigations, no further comment or information can be provided at this time."
Hebblethwaite later told a joint hearing of the Commons’ business and transport committees that his company broke the law by not consulting with trade unions before sacking workers.
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