\n<\/p>\n
Discussions about a London port expansion worth \u00a31bn are ongoing as the government tries to resolve a row with the investor.<\/p>\n
DP World planned to reveal the expansion of its London Gateway port, which it said would create hundreds of jobs, at the government’s investment summit next week.<\/p>\n
However, reports suggested the plan was at risk after Transport Secretary Louise Haigh criticised P&O Ferries, which is part of DP World, for its treatment of staff.<\/p>\n
Downing Street has distanced itself from those comments as it tries to resolve the spat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
And asked on Friday evening about Ms Haigh’s comments, the prime minister told BBC political editor Chris Mason in a Newscast interview: “That’s not the view of the government.”<\/p>\n
The disagreement began after Ms Haigh told ITV earlier this week that P&O was a “rogue operator” after it sacked nearly 800 seafarers in 2022 and replaced them with cheaper workers.<\/p>\n
DP World insisted the move was needed for the survival of the ferry operator and to secure thousands of jobs.<\/p>\n
A Downing Street spokesperson told the BBC on Friday afternoon: “We welcome P&O Ferries commitment to comply with our new seafarer\u2019s legislation, which protects against damaging fire and rehire practices”.<\/p>\n
It said it was continuing to “work closely” with DP World, which also owns Southampton Port.<\/p>\n
On Monday, the UK is hosting its International Investment Summit, where ministers will try to attract billions of pounds of investment.<\/p>\n
The spokesperson said it would “bring together hundreds of global firms to show Britain is open for business.\u201d<\/p>\n
DP World declined to comment on the reports that the London Gateway investment was under review due to Ms Haigh’s comments.<\/p>\n
The investment summit is due to take place ahead of the Budget, with the government signalling it will make some large investments<\/a>. <\/p>\n Many have taken as a hint that it will relax its own self-imposed spending rules, as it looks to boost the economy.<\/p>\n It is keen to promote the UK as a stable and reliable investment destination for international firms after the rapid churn of prime ministers, chancellors and business secretaries since 2016.<\/p>\n However, this is also not the first time there has been controversy surrounding the summit. <\/p>\n Last month, the world’s richest person, Elon Musk, hit back after not being invited<\/a>. This was due to his social media posts during the August riots, the BBC understands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n