P&O Ferries sackings show its corporate responsibility is all at sea

Owner DP World should be able to handle 100m crisis in minor subsidiary without resorting to extreme tactics

We believe that businesses can only be successful if they prioritise their biggest competitive advantage - their people." So said DP World in its annual report for 2021, demonstrating once again that companies will spout any old rubbish in pursuit of a socially responsible halo.

The Dubai-owned company, via its P&O Ferries subsidiary, showed on Thursday what its duty of care" to members of its corporate family" really means. It sacked 800 UK employees with immediate effect via pre-recorded video message. Employment lawyers wondered whether the action was legal but, even if it is, it's a shocking way to behave.