by Graham Tutthill

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has given an assurance that the Labour government will not force privatisation on the Port of Dover and that it will look for new ways of attracting investment.

The move came during Prime Minister's Question Time on Wednesday, February 10 when Dover MP Gwyn Prosser asked Mr Brown what he could say to dispel the "fabrications and fables" that the government was hell-bent on selling Dover to the highest bidder, and that the highest bid might comes from the French.

It followed national newspaper reports at the weekend that Calais was likely to buy the port, with some newspapers erroneously indicating that the sale also included Dover's famous White Cliffs.

The Prime Minister said that Mr Prosser had been a great champion for Dover and its people. "I know he wants the best for the people of Dover including a flourishing port; and I share that aspiration," said Mr Brown.

"There will be no forced privatisation of Dover under Labour and we will look for new ways of getting in new investment into the port and the community.

Speaking afterwards Mr Prosser said: "I’ve always argued that Dover Harbour Board could attract new investment without selling to the highest bidder and enriching the directors. Gordon Brown has now confirmed this to be the case and he told parliament that he’s looking at new ways of getting investment into Dover"

"When Dover Harbour Board first volunteered to privatise the port I reminded them that they didn’t have the support of the community and I predicted that their application would not be allowed under Labour – I am now more confident than ever that my prediction will prove correct"