P&O Ferries ‘making all sailing staff redundant with immediate effect’ - reports

All of P&O Ferries' sailing staff have reportedly been made redundant after services were suspended earlier today. ITV News said the redundancy is with ‘immediate effect’.

The ferries will be kept running with agency staff, ITV News reported. P&O sailing staff will be able to apply for work with the agency.

ITV's Shehab Khan said on Twitter: "Understand that all sailing staff at P&O Ferries have been made redundant with immediate effect. The company will use an agency to keep their ferries running and current staff will be able to apply to the agency for work."

READ MORE: 'Is that mummy?': Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe hugs daughter in emotional reunion with family

P&O Ferries had suspended sailings amid speculation it is preparing to sack hundreds of workers. The ferry operator said in an internal statement on Thursday morning it will make “a major announcement” which will “secure the long-term viability of P&O Ferries”.

Labour MP Karl Turner posted a photograph of a coach which he stated contained “new foreign crew waiting to board the Pride of Hull” at King George Dock, Hull. Members of the RMT union are “sitting in onboard the vessel”, so the new crew “will not be boarding her”, he wrote.

Mr Turner added: “We understand that both current officers and ratings are to be sacked.”

Speaking to the PA news agency, one driver in Calais due to return to the UK said he had been waiting for a ferry since 6am. “More than anything I’m frustrated at the fact nobody from P&O was there to help and advise … I’ve never had such shoddy service from anybody.”

The driver, who wished to remain nameless, said he had been able to rebook with DFDS, saying: “I’ve had to exit the port and go through the entire process again, not to mention