Grant Shapps revealed minutes of a meeting with DP World group chairman and chief executive Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem during a trip to Dubai.
He did so after questions were asked in parliament about how much the transport secretary knew about P&O Ferries’ plan to illegally sack 800 workers.
Minutes of the meeting, held at Dubai World Expo, record Sulayem as saying:
“In respect of our ferry business, there’s a new low-cost competitor from Irish Ferries. This poses challenges in respect of P&O’s operations.”
Shapps replied: “I’m aware of the issues relating to P&O. I recognise you will need to make commercial decisions, but please do keep us informed.”
