A protest has been held over the mass sackings by ferry firm P&O at Cairnryan, with unions voting to take action “until workers are reinstated”.

The demonstration at the port in Dumfries and Galloway was one of a number which has been taking place around the UK after the firm caused outrage by firing 800 workers without warning.

Protestors gathered at Cairnryan calling for a boycott of P&O, with the RMT Scotland union organising two busloads of supporters from Glasgow.

A tweet from the union said there was an “excellent turnout” at Cairnryan to demand the reinstatement of P&O workers.

“The RMT and @nautilusint are clear: we will not stand for bandit capitalism,” it added.

 

The National:

The STUC also tweeted: “We're here. Now, tomorrow & for as long as it takes until the workers are reinstated.”

Elsewhere in the UK, anti-P&O protesters were moved from the entrance to the Port of Liverpool by police.

About 40 demonstrators blocked the road leading to the port, where P&O operates a Liverpool to Dublin service, from about 8am.

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The protest, organised by the RMT union, caused a tailback of lorries heading into the port.

Demonstrators shouted: “P&O, shame on you.”

At about 8.35am, police officers moved protesters from the road, warning them they could be arrested if they did not move.

Darren Ireland, RMT regional organiser, said: “We’re trying to get the point across about the way P&O is treating seafarers, it is absolutely shocking.”