On the eve of Sir Keir's much-hyped investment summit which he and chancellor Rachel Reeves have pinned their hopes on kickstarting a new era of growth - Dubai-based DP World has pulled out of a £1bn planned investment in its London Gateway container port.
The major port and logistics firm has scrapped its investment in the key London shipping facility after deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and transport secretary Louise Haigh were critical of the company when the deputy prime minister introduced her new workers' rights package.
In particular, it is understood that DP World objected to Ms Haigh calling them a "cowboy operator" and using an interview with ITV to threaten a boycott of the company.
However, as a blame game erupted, it is being claimed that Downing Street signed off the offending press release, while friends of Ms Haigh have pointed out that almost every member of the cabinet has attacked P&O over the last two years for firing and rehiring 800 employees. The issue became a major cause in the trade union drive to bring in new workers' rights and protections which were announced this week.
There have been suggestions that Downing Street might be trying to "scapegoat" Ms Haigh to save Ms Rayner and distract from its own mistakes. But the decision by DP World is a major setback for Labour's growth strategy, which was already struggling to get off the ground.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Who Cares Who Has The Elgin Marbles? Let Them Go On Loan
After a series of "private meetings" between the UK and Greece this week, prime ministers Keir Starmer and Kyriakos Mitsotakis were to meet in London yesterday to discuss the future of the Elgin marbles.
Trump's Tariffs Would 'Hit UK Trade As Hard As Brexit'
Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs could hit UK trade with the US as badly as Brexit affected trade with the EU, a leading think tank has warned as campaigners call for Sir Keir Starmer to protect the UK by urgently rebuilding ties with Europe.
Taliban Bars Women From Being Trained As Midwives
Women in Afghanistan have been banned from training to become midwives in the latest crackdown unveiled by the Taliban.
South Korean Leader Calls Off Martial Law After Uproar
MPs vote against decree as violent protests outside National Assembly turn to celebration following reversal by president
EU Or The US? Starmer Has No Choice But To Pick A Side
The prime minister opened his Mansion House speech on foreign policy with another of his over-emphatic declarations.
Brexit Deals A £3bn-A-Year Blow To UK Food Exports
British food sales to the EU have fallen by almost a fifth since the end of the Brexit transition period, a new report shows
Biden Criticised Across The Board For Pardoning His Son
President’s decision slated by Republicans and Democrats
Why 8 hours is a myth and other athletes' sleep secrets
Performance coach Greg Meehan tells Alex Pattle how he keeps clients, including boxers and footballers, in top shape
Women like me won't stand for this treatment any more
When I woke up to MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace blaming midlife, middle-class women and their lack of a sense of humour for his troubles, I confess to swearing at my phone.
The BBC's Wallace problem goes beyond MasterChef
Is the fate of a television cookery presenter more important than Syrian insurgents seizing Aleppo and the turmoil on the streets in Georgia? The BBC thinks so, based on its news judgements in recent days, which have seen exhaustive coverage of the accusations against Gregg Wallace take precedence over matters of life and death around the world.
