MOVES by P&O bosses to scrap its Liverpool to Dublin route represent the disgraced ferry operator’s latest attack on maritime jobs and skills, transport union RMT has warned.

The Dubai-owned firm announced on Tuesday that the popular route would close later this year after Port of Liverpool operator Peel Ports said the firm would end the service on expiration of its contract.

A P&O spokesperson claimed the decision has been forced on it by the port provider.

But RMT general secretary Mick Lynch blasted the decision, which comes just 18 months after the firm unlawfully sacked nearly 800 British-based seafarers without warning. 

The latest move proves Tory ministers, who have taken little action against the firm, were wrong to believe assurances from senior managers at P&O, he charged.  

“They are not only prepared to break employment law in order to please their owners in Dubai, but they also cannot be trusted to operate economically vital ferry services, blaming everyone else but themselves for their abject failures.”

Mr Lynch repeated calls for Downing Street to scrap its contracts with the firm and ban P&O from operating in British waters.