Sacked P&O workers need our support more than ever, according to South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth.

The local MSP is urging people to join the latest blockade at the P&O Cairnryan terminal on Friday (29 April) and he has challenged local Tory politicians to join the protest against the ferry firm’s recent sacking of dozens of workers at the port.

Colin Smyth, who is a member of the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group on the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union (RMT), will be taking part in the blockade organised by the RMT at 2 pm.

The Prime Minister had pledged to force the firm to reverse its decision to sack workers including those at Cairnryan. Boris Johnson told the UK Parliament “P&O plainly are not going to get away with it”, but so far workers remain out of a job and have been replaced by agency workers on poorer terms and conditions.

Colin Smyth said: “I am once again urging local people to consider supporting Friday’s blockade because the sacked P&O workers need our support more than ever. We must show P&O bosses that we won’t let this go.

“The ferries are now running again and yet there has still been no meaningful action against them from the UK Government, just hot air from Boris Johnson and a Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack who had been posted missing.

“Both the UK and Scottish Governments promised to review the tens of millions of pounds of contracts they have with P&O but again they have failed to do so, and this inaction has meant workers have had no choice but to sign up for their redundancy payments or risk losing them.

“Even if our Governments have given up the fight, I know workers haven’t and I’d urge the local community to join us at the blockade to highlight their solidarity. I’m also calling on local Tory politicians to come out of hiding and show their support.

“Without stronger action from the UK Government, P&O will be let off the hook. That will be devastating for those loyal workers kicked out of their jobs, bad news for the local economy and would be a green light to bad bosses up and down the country to treat staff like disposable labour. We can’t let that happen.”