His comments follow a letter to the P&O boss from the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
The DUP MP said, “The latest message from the government to P&O is welcome. The issues have been set out for everyone to see in relation to safety, the lack of consultation with staff and unions, paying workers less than the minimum wage and the restoration of the sacked staff.
Ultimately however it isn’t messages from the government which are needed it is measures. Given their actions over recent days it will take action to ensure the company faces up to their actions and how they have behaved throughout this sorry episode.
There needs to be movement quickly, however. The deadline for workers to accept the terms put forward by P&O is approaching fast and Port of Larne is still not fully operational. Legislation will be needed to resolve force action and resolve the situation for workers, not letters.”