If there is a problem with the Channel Tunnel, Home Secretary Priti Patel announced that a deal to transport staff to northern France would be terminated. She stated: “With immediate effect, the Home Office has terminated its agreement with P&O to provide contingency travel services to juxtaposed ports. “We stand with the Department of Transportation against companies that exploit loopholes and undermine workers’ rights.” The ferry company made headlines in March when it abruptly laid off more than 800 employees. On the morning of the shocking news, the company cancelled all services, leaving passengers stranded at Dover and Calais. According to one source, staff were given “five minutes to get their stuff and get off the ship.” Natalie Elphicke, MP for Dover and Deal, stated at the time: “This is heartbreaking news for all P&O employees and their families. “It goes against the assurances I and the RMT Union have received over the last two years. It is shabby corporate behaviour by Dubai’s DP World and an insult to Dover’s workforce’s decades of loyalty and hard work.” Hundreds of people took to the streets of Dover over two days to protest the decision, which resulted in the loss of hundreds of jobs. Days later, P&O announced the “biggest ever” compensation package, with some employees allegedly receiving up to £170,000. From March 17, when the company sacked the seafarers without warning, all of its ships were forced to sit in their respective ports. The Pride of Canterbury, which had not left the port since then, was cleared to resume sailing between Dover and Calais just a few days ago after passing its safety inspection.
