Ulster Unionist Economy spokesperson, Mike Nesbitt MLA, is calling for an emergency joint meeting of the Economy and Agriculture committees in the wake of P&O`s extraordinary action in terminating 800 contracts of employment.

Mike Nesbitt said:

"P&O's actions are simple Orwellian. A Big Brother video terminating employment, with faceless enforcers with handcuffs clearing ships is simply shocking.

"Our Section 44 powers to compel the appearance of papers and people may not extend to P&O management, but that is a matter on which we need to seek urgent clarification from our lawyers. What we can do is offer trade union officials an opportunity to vent their anger and brief us on their plans for a legal challenge. 

"We can also scrutinise whatever plans officials have, both in terms of the Department for the Economy on support packages for the workers and whether employment law needs changed, while the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs can brief on security of supply chains for essential foodstuffs and other commodities."