The boss of the company that owns P&O Ferries will attend an investment summit in the UK despite the transport secretary’s scathing criticism, which included calls for a boycott of the shipping firm.

Sky News understands Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chief executive of DP World, will join the government’s Investment Summit on Monday.

It comes after reports that remarks by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh had jeopardised a £1bn investment in the UK from DP World.

The event on Monday is intended to showcase Britain’s appeal to investors and will be attended by the prime minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

DP World’s investment in the port was under review following criticism by Ms Haigh and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner of its subsidiary P&O Ferries.

In March 2022, P&O caused huge controversy by sacking 800 British seafarers and replacing them with cheaper, largely foreign workers, a move it said was required to prevent the company from collapsing.

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DP World chief executive Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. Pic: AP

Announcing new legislation to protect seafarers on Wednesday, Ms Haigh described P&O as a “rogue operator” and said consumers should boycott the company.

Sir Keir Starmer has said Ms Haigh’s call for a boycott of the ferry firm was “not the view of the government”.

In a press release issued with Ms Rayner, Ms Haigh said P&O’s actions were “a national scandal” and Ms Rayner described it as “an outrageous example of manipulation by an employer”.