The former P&O Ferry Chef has been sued for unfair dismissal and racial discrimination

A former P&O ferry chef is reportedly suing the company for unfair dismissal, racial discrimination and harassment.

John Lansdowne has sued the company and its chief executive, seeking financial compensation and exemplary compensation of up to £ 76m, according to the BBC.

P&O Ferry said their job layoffs were “not explicitly based on race or nationality of the workers involved”, in a statement from the broadcaster.

Lansdowne says the action is about the “big picture”, telling the BBC: “It’s not just about me. Seven hundred and ninety-nine members of my expatriate family have lost their livelihood, their livelihood, their homes for half a year.

It comes after a criminal and civil investigation was launched on April 1 into the P&O Ferry’s decision to lay off about 800 workers.

On March 17, the company was widely criticized for making sailors redundant without notice.

The business secretary, Quasi Quarteng, said the insolvency service had launched a “formal criminal and civil investigation.”

The service said: “Following its investigation, the bankruptcy service has launched a formal criminal and civil investigation into the recent redundancy of P&O ferries.

“As these are ongoing investigations, no further comment or information can be provided at this time.”

Peter Heblathwaite, chief executive of P&O Ferry, told a joint hearing of the Commons Business and Transportation Committee that his company had violated the law by not consulting trade unions before dismissing workers.