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Grant Shapps warns P&O Ferries boss of law changes to protect seafarers after 800 workers sacked

He also called on Mr Hebblethwaite to offer all 800 workers their jobs back

P&O Ferries has been under pressure from the politicians and unions since sacking 800 workers earlier this month(Image: PA)

A "comprehensive package of measures to ensure that seafarers are protected" are to be brought before Parliament in the wake of P&O Ferries sacking 800 º£½ÇÊÓÆµ workers without notice.

In a latter to P&O boss Peter Hebblethwaite, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps added he intends to block the "outcome that P&O Ferries has pursued", including paying workers less than the minimum wage.

He also called on the CEO to drop the deadline of March 31 "imposed on seafarers" to respond to redundancy offers

READ MORE: P&O Ferries boss called on to quit by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps after 'knowingly breaking the law'

In the letter, Mr Shapps said: "The past week has left the reputation of P&O Ferries and, I'm afraid, you personally in tatters.

"Not only were your letters of 22 March to the Business Secretary and myself wholly unsatisfactory, your appearance at the Transport Select Committee, during which you brazenly admitted to breaking employment law, demonstrated beyond doubt your contempt for workers who have given years of service to your company.

"There is no excuse for this behaviour, and as I said publicly on Friday, I believe your position as chief executive, and indeed as a company director, has become untenable.

Peter Hebblethwaite, Chief Executive, P&O Ferries, answering questions in front of the Transport Committee and Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee in the House of Commmons(Image: PA)

"On top of reviewing contracts you hold with government and asking the Insolvency Service to investigate your actions, this week I will go further.