Starmer distances himself from Haigh’s P&O comments

Sir Keir Starmer has distanced himself from his Transport Secretary’s criticism of P&O Ferries owner after the company responded by scrapping a £1bn port expansion.

Louise Haigh described P&O as a “rogue operator” and urged consumers to take part in a boycott, prompting the company’s Dubai-based owner to abandon plans to invest in the port project from London Gateway.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the chief executive of DP World, will also not attend Monday’s investment summit, at which Labor hoped to demonstrate that Britain is open for business.

Last night the Prime Minister sought to isolate and downplay his Transport Secretary’s comments, before defending his party’s “inward investment approach” as he marks 100 days since taking office.

Asked about Ms Haigh’s comments, Sir Keir told the BBC Newscast: “Well, look, that’s not the government’s view.

“And that was an issue that well, you know, the issue that came up a number of years ago now that I think across Parliament was a cause for real concern.

“And I think one of the things we’ve done is change that. So they can’t forget that this is important.

“But what I care about is keeping our focus on that inward investment because it’s the jobs of the future that matter and the jobs that are well-paid, safe, skilled and in different parts of the world. country.”