Protesters block entrance at Cairnryan Port to highlight P&O sackings

There were tense scenes at a stand-off at P&O's terminal in Cairnryan, where protestors have stopped passengers and hauliers from boarding a ferry on Friday.

The demonstration is to highlight P&O's decision in March to sack almost 800 workers without notice and replace them with cheaper agency staff.

Darren Procter, from the RMT union, said workers are ramping up protests over safety concerns.

He told the PA news agency:

"With the events of this week and the European Causeway, it's something that we as a union have identified is going to be a problem, and it was a problem this week so we decided to have a blockade in Cairnryan and also in Larne."

"This is something we'll be looking to do more and more because we don't believe those vessels are safe, we're not happy with what P&O have done to the workforce and the impact that it has had."

"Just because the individuals have been sacked and have received the money, it is not the end of the issue."

Dozens of union members were there to demonstrate with one telling Clyde 1 News: "The sacking was completely unjustified, and not only that, it was an attack on trade union organisation."

Another said: "Our message is simple, boycott P&O, don't go P&O, please support us in our campaign."

There was drama when one HGV driver tried to get through the blockade by driving towards protestors, before being escorted away by police.

Those who missed the 4pm sailing as a result of the protest were escorted to Castle Kennedy, where they faced a wait of several hours for the next crossing to Larne.

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