Live as P&O bosses are grilled by MPs over mass-firing

The chief executive of P&O Ferries is being quizzed by MPs on Thursday over the controversial sacking of nearly 800 workers without notice amid continued protests over the dismissals.

Peter Hebblethwaite is appearing before a joint hearing of the transport and business committees and is expected to face questions over the legality of the dismissals.

The Prime Minister said it appears to him that P&O Ferries has “broken the law”, telling the Commons on Wednesday that the Government will be “taking action”, and encouraged workers to do the same.

Mr Hebblethwaite issued an apology for the impact of the decision to sack the staff without notice, saying he understood the “anger and shock” about the loss of jobs.

Other witnesses being questioned on Thursday will include Alan Bogg, professor of labour law at the University of Bristol; Mark Dickinson, general secretary of Nautilus International; Mick Lynch, leader of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union; Dean Beale, chief executive of the Insolvency Service; Brian Johnson, chief executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency; Katy Ware, director of UK Maritime Services; transport minister Robert Courts; and business minister Paul Scully.

Jesper Kristensen, of P&O owner DP World, will also be questioned.