TRADE union opposition to the privatisation of the Port of Dover has been dismissed by harbour bosses.

Unite, which has previously clashed with Dover Harbour Board (DHB) over outsourcing of jobs, said last week that the port was too important to the UK economy to be allowed to fall into private hands.

The union, which represents millions of workers across the country, also pointed to the well-publicised struggles of the ferry operators as evidence that the financial case for a sell-off does not add up and warned privatisation would "reduce labour standards and wages".

Julia Long, national officer for the docks and ferries sector, said: "The proposed privatisation of Dover is against the national interest. It is a disastrous idea and should proceed no further.

"The UK is an island nation. We need a first-class sea port like Dover to be in public hands.

"There is simply too much at stake to leave the running of this vital link to Europe in the hands of those who will milk this national treasure for profits at the expense of the travelling public and British commerce."

Bosses at Harbour House were quick to dismiss the union's arguments, accusing it of failing to "grasp the rationale and driving force" behind the proposed sell-off.

A DHB spokesman said: "Unite's statement fails to recognise that the Port of Dover's scheme is a unique opportunity to expand the business, create jobs and prosperity, unite the port with its community and secure the long-term future of a key national asset that will need to expand and grow if it is to remain the jewel in the crown which everyone wishes it to be.

"It is entirely for the long-term benefit of UK transport and the UK economy that the privatisation scheme is currently being considered by the Department for Transport."

The latest consultation period into the plans, which would lead to the port being privatised and a community trust established, closed last Friday.