The training of former Gurkha soldiers at the Port of Dover has stopped after a Kent MP voiced his conerns.

The ex-Gurkhas had been brought in by Dover Harbour Board to keep the port running if nearly 200 workers, whose jobs are to be privatised in the new year, went on strike.

A ballot on industrial action is currently taking place, and will close on Monday.

The port was training the ex-Gurkhas for jobs such as mooring ferries and security duties, but Dover's MP Gwyn Prosser had expressed his concern that bringing the former soldiers in to break a strike could harm relationships between them and the local community.

He had talks with Gurkha representatives to explain his views.

A Port of Dover spokesman confirmed on Thursday that the training had stopped and meetings were currently taking place.

Mr Prosser said he welcomed the latest development.

He said: "I was confident that once our friends in the Gurkha community were made aware of Dover Harbour Board’s strike-breaking tactics they would refuse to co-operate with such underhand practices.

"I have also heard that the remainder of the Gurkhas who had been put on standby to work through a possible strike by port employees have made clear their refusal to do so."

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