Northern Ireland politicians slam P&O and call for urgent Government action

The move by P&O has prompted outrage from politicians and workers, many of whom refused to leave ships, leading to security guards with handcuffs being deployed to remove them

People onboard the P&O European Causeway ferry docked at Larne Port (David Young/PA)

Politicians in Northern Ireland have reacted with shock after ferry giant P&O sacked 800 seafarers and replaced them with cheaper agency workers.

There were calls for the British Government to intervene to ensure the “vital” Larne to Cairnryan service continued.