Calls on Grayling to quit after U-turn over ferry contract with boatless firm
Secretary Andrew Gwynne added: “It’s another example of a major disaster on the hands of Chris Grayling, who must now class as the worst secretary of state ever.” T h e Seaborne Freight dea l was cancel led after Irishc ompa ny Arklow Sh ipping , which had backed the firm, stepped away from the proposal.
A DfT spokeswoman said: “Following the decision of Seaborne Freight’s backer Arklow Shipping to step back from the deal, it became clear Seaborne would not reach its contractual requirements with the Government. “ludicrous” ferry contract in a speech in Coventry.
Corbyn said: “Chris Grayling claimed the Government had ‘ looked very careful ly’ at Seaborne Freight before giving the company the contract – but apparently not carefully enough to notice that it didn’t have any ships.”
Grayling originally defended the contract, insisting it was “not a risk”.
The company was one of three firms awarded contracts total l ing £ 108million in December to lay on additional crossings to ease the pressure on Dover when Britain leaves the EU – despite having never run a Channel service.
The DfT has said it had been Arklow Shipping’s backing that gave it confidence in the viability of the deal and that it stands by the robust due diligence carried out.
A spokeswoman insisted no taxpayer money had been transferred to the company.
But Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, said: “The whole exercise is a complete and utter shambles.
“This Government’s ‘wing and a prayer’ approach was always doomed to failure.
“It’s time for Chris Grayling to stop attacking RMT and start listening to people who know what they are talking about, instead of the chancers selling him a pile of old rope they don’t even own.”