Louise Haigh is the transport secretary and MP for Sheffield Heeley. (Image: Getty)

       Transport secretary and Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh risks costing the government a critical ￡1bn investment with comments made ahead of a crunch economic summit on Monday.

       The Dubai-based owners of P&O Ferries, DP World, have put the staggering sum of money on hold after she slammed them for being "rogue" and "cowboy operators".

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       It will now not attend Monday's International Investment Summit - the government's first event for investors - as the funds are under review.

       Haigh told ITV: "I've been boycotting P&O Ferries for two and a half years and I'd encourage consumers to do the same.

       "They're a rogue operator. We're cracking down on the way they treated employees, and we want to see them mirror the standards of other operators that come in and out of Great Britain's waters.

       READ MORE: Keir Starmer dealt huge ￡1bn blow as P&O ferries threatens to yank UK investment

       Sir Keir issued a response to Haigh's comments. (Image: Getty)

       "Make no mistake, this is good for workers and good for business. Cowboy operators like P&O Ferries will no longer be able to act with impunity, undercutting good employers in the process."

       This prompted Sir Keir Starmer to issue a stark response, marking the first time he's publicly rebuked one of his minister's comments since becoming Prime Minister.

       He said on an episode of Newscast: "I think we'll resolve that", referring to the investment being shelved, and maintained that Haigh's view is "not the view of the government".

       Since being appointed transport secretary in July, Haigh says she's been "a vocal advocate for the rights of workers", which includes speaking out against P&O's decision to sack 800 British staff members and replace them with cheaper, agency staff.

       Her website reads: "[I'm] firmly holding the Government to account for their handling of the rail workers’ industrial dispute and leading the fight to protect the rights of P&O workers following their illegal firing."

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       Haigh previously worked for the Unite trade union, where she was involved in supporting workers through discrimination, harassment, redundancy and unfair dismissal.

       Before Labour came into power, she was appointed as the shadow policing minister in 2017 due to her experience as a former Special Constable. Three years later, she was then given the role of shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland.

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Labour government must urgently promote UK economy

       17 Comments

       Ministers deny government is a 'soft touch' after approving bonus for train guards

       91 Comments

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       91 Comments

       Angela Rayner ‘hopping mad' over Labour investment meltdown days before major summit

       621 Comments

       Labour hands ￡300 bonus to train guards if they work five days a week

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       I was in the room at Labour's investment summit and there was one repeated feeling

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       Humiliation for Labour as ￡1bn investment pulled out after Angela Rayner's attack

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       Comments

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       264 Comments

       Keir Starmer faces calls to sack key Cabinet member already after ￡1bn UK investment row

       549 Comments

       Starmer's blushes spared as P&O owner to attend crunch summit after ￡1bn investment row

       320 Comments

       Keir Starmer throws top ally under the bus in fiery P&O cruises investment row

       1130 Comments

       Keir Starmer dealt huge ￡1bn blow as P&O ferries threatens to yank UK investment

       143 Comments

       Labour Party's P&O row shows Keir Starmer could be set for early departure

       81 Comments

       New industrial strategy to target eight key sectors for Britain's growth

       118 Comments

       Labour government must urgently promote UK economy

       17 Comments

       Ministers deny government is a 'soft touch' after approving bonus for train guards

       91 Comments

       Angela Rayner ‘hopping mad' over Labour investment meltdown days before major summit

       621 Comments

       Labour hands ￡300 bonus to train guards if they work five days a week

       204 Comments

       I was in the room at Labour's investment summit and there was one repeated feeling

       1264 Comments

       Humiliation for Labour as ￡1bn investment pulled out after Angela Rayner's attack

       649 Comments

       Rachel Reeves gives biggest hint yet on what she's plotting to fill UK '￡22bn black hole'

       461 Comments

       Her recent comments, however, have sparked controversy and a blame game within the government as the cruise giant tables their ￡1bn investment.