UK's Sunak says treatment of P&O staff appalling

LONDON - P&O Ferries has treated its staff appallingly, British finance minister Rishi Sunak said on Sunday, adding he would not pre-empt a review into government contracts with the company after it made 800 staff redundant with immediate effect.

"What we're seeing is appalling, and the way that they've treated their workers is awful," Sunak said after the company dismissed staff on Thursday as part of a plan to hire cheaper agency workers.

"We're looking across government at our contractual relationships with P&O and reviewing those at the moment. I can't pre-empt that process."