Disputed carrier P&O Ferries avoids criminal prosecution in the wake of its illegal mass layoff of almost 800 employees in March. According to the British Insolvency Service, a legal case would not lead to a conviction.

“After a full and robust criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the employees who were made redundant by P&O Ferries, we have concluded that we will not commence criminal proceedings,” states a spokesperson of the Insolvency Service, according to several British media.

In March, British Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Kwasi Kwarteng asked – only few days after the strongly condemned mass sacking – the Insolvency Service to investigate whether the law had been violated in relation to the dismissals.

This investigation has now been completed, and according to the Insolvency Service, ”there was no realistic prospect of a conviction.”

This conclusion has been reached despite P&O Ferries CEO Peter Hebblethwaithe having openly admitted that the carrier ignored legislation when it dismissed the employees.

The UK government is not pleased with the conclusion. According to a spokesperson, the carrier’s conduct was not only callous ”but failed to uphold the high standards we expect of British businesses.”

”Given their appalling behaviour, it’s very disappointing that the company will not face criminal proceedings,” says the spokesperson, who is not willing to provide further comments before a civil investigation has been terminated.

Unhappy labor union

Labor union Nautilus, representing seafarers, among others, is agitated by the decision.

”This is a deeply disappointing decision and will be met with frustration and anger by the 786 seafarers and their families who were so cruelly discarded by P&O Ferries,” says Nautilus General Secretary Mark Dickinson in a comment.

Dickinson highlights that the carrier’s parent company, DP World, has just presented a record result. He furthermore stresses that the civil investigation is ongoing and vows to continue the union’s campaign to have P&O’s management made accountable.

According to The Guardian, Huw Merriman, who chairs the Commons transport committee, proposes a sharpened legislation aiming to prevent companies such as P&O Ferries from acting similarly in the future.

The ferry operator has no comment on the decision.

English edit: Kristoffer Grønbæk

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