OPINION - Evening Standard Comment: We must help equip Ukraine to fight on

Throughout the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Joe Biden has been careful to avoid a dangerous escalation, or as he put it, World War III.

The US president has ruled against sending American troops to fight and the imposition of a no-fly zone. But at an emergency Nato meeting in Brussels yesterday, Biden took exception when asked about the consequences of Vladimir Putin using chemical or biological weapons. He asserted that such an attack would “would trigger a response in kind”.

The use of weapons of mass destruction would be a level above the acts of barbarism Putin has resorted to thus far. Yet with his back to the wall, there are fears he may resort to ever more abhorrent tactics.

President Biden is therefore right to suggest such a move would provoke a response from Nato, albeit couched in the language of strategic ambiguity. The Nato meeting came as the Russian invasion has stalled in parts and Ukrainian forces are retaking territory around Kyiv, according to the Ministry of Defence.

But the images of utter devastation emanating from Mariupol illustrate why it is both urgent and vital that Britain and our allies continue to supply Ukraine with anti-tank missiles and other defensive weaponry to help them continue the fight.

Sinking reputation

Yesterday, the combined Commons Transport and Business Select Committees summoned the boss of P&O Ferries, Peter Hebblethwaite, for questioning. It was not a pretty spectacle. Last week the firm sacked 800 of its Dover staff via pre-recorded Zoom call, used security guards to frogmarch crew off its ships and replaced them with workers who will be paid far less than the minimum wage.

Mr Hebblethwaite admitted that he had knowingly broken UK employment law by failing to consult the unions. He also said he would do it again. Last year, the Dubai-owned parent company, DP World, paid its shareholders $367 million in dividends. The reality is that P&O Ferries has lost £100 million a year for two years running, but given that for much of that time Covid restrictions had killed ferry travel, this was unlikely to continue.

A responsible firm would have discussed managed redundancies and possible voluntary pay cuts with the unions until the situation improved. We should note other operators have replaced local staff with cheap foreign labour, and got away with it.

It is now for the Government to intervene. DP World is a partner in the operation of freeports. Ministers should make clear it will not be eligible for future contracts if it does not rehire its Dover staff. Meanwhile its reputation is, unlike its ferries, sunk.

Charging revolution

One way to avoid the rocketing cost of petrol and diesel is to drive an electric vehicle. But the lack of charging points remains a concern for Londoners. That is why the Government’s announcement today of a tenfold expansion in charge points by 2030 is absolutely critical.

Confirmation of £500 million of public money and £1 billion of investment in ultra-fast charging from BP pulse comes hot on the heels of Uber’s investment in charging infrastructure in under-served boroughs, demonstrating how public and private money can work together to build the network we need to see.

The capital is crying out for more charging points — let the revolution start in earnest.