Sacked P&O worker disappointed with government response

John Lansdown is believed to be the only former P&O worker to speak publicly after refusing a pay off deal

A former P&O Ferries worker has said he is "disappointed" in the government's response nearly two years after the company fired 786 of its staff.

John Lansdown, a former sous chef on the Dover to Calais route, said "meaningful change was yet to happen".

He said P&O had taken a "brazen arrogant approach" to breaking employment law.

The Department for Transport said it was continuing work to protect UK seafarers and improve standards.

Mr Lansdown is thought to be the only sacked worker to speak publicly after refusing a £30,000 pay out from the firm in exchange for signing a non-disclosure agreement.

He went on to take legal action against the company and in September 2022 P&O Ferries admitted unfair dismissal in his case and paid out the settlement to a charity of Mr Lansdown's choice.

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Mr Lansdown told BBC Politics South East: "My world had been turned upside down, there were grown adults walking around the ship that day crying, they'd lost everything. We'd given the best years of our working lives to that company.

"Not a day goes by where I don't hear or see the impact that the actions of P&O Ferries has had on the mental and physical wellbeing of very many of my former colleagues."

P&O Ferries boss Peter Hebblethwaite apologised for the distress caused by the cuts, but said they were necessary to save the business.

Mr Hebblethwaite previously admitted to MPs that a decision to sack workers without notice or union consultation had broken the law but said he would make the decision again if he had to.

Mr Lansdown said the actions of P&O had a daily impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of his former colleagues

Following the sackings, the government announced a review of all its contracts with P&O Ferries.

However between March 2022 and July 2023, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) spent nearly £600,000 with the firm for freight and passenger transport.

The MoD said it would continue to use P&O because it offers routes that other companies do not.

In August 2022 the Insolvency Service announced that it would not be bringing criminal proceedings against the firm, but a civil investigation is ongoing.

Mr Lansdown added: "Because of the brazen arrogant approach P&O took to breaking the employment law everyone felt something's going to happen here to bring about meaningful change but it's yet to happen."

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "We reacted swiftly and decisively against P&O Ferries' appalling treatment of its staff and have made substantial progress on the nine-point plan we set out in 2022 to improve seafarers' pay and conditions.

"We have brought forward legislation to ensure seafarers are paid at least an equivalent to the UK National Minimum Wage, and we continue to work to protect UK seafarers, improve standards around the world in this internationally-regulated sector."

A spokesperson for P&O Ferries said: "We are proud more customers are choosing P&O Ferries, travelling in comfort on our modern fleet. We pride ourselves on the exceptional service our team deliver to millions of freight and passenger customers at every stage of their journey with us.

"Our ships are crewed by experienced seafarers. The qualifications and requirements for all our officers meets all international and local standards, which have not changed since our restructuring."

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