LIVERPOOL should create a turnaround facility at the Pier Head and tell objectors to see them in court, a North West Euro MP said last night.

Brian Simpson MEP has uncovered that the city’s bid for a cruise turnaround facility has not yet prompted an EU investigation into unfair state aid.

The issue of whether the city’s original £15m European grant to build the Liverpool Cruise Terminal was claimed to be at the heart of the UK Government’s previous decision not to back a turnaround facility.

North West Labour MEPs Brian Simpson and Arlene McCarthy uncovered that no such concerns have been raised with the EU by either the UK Government or by individual port rivals such as Southampton.

Earlier this month, transport minister Mike Penning said he would review the decision of his Labour predecessor Paul Clark, who banned liners starting and finishing from the Pier Head.

That Mr Clark and the Department for Transport did not even consult EU officials before they concluded that it would amount to unfair competition is likely to surprise many.

Mrs McCarthy and Mr Simpson asked the EU’s Commission about any complaints and whether creating a full turnaround facility would constitute unfair state aid.

The Daily Post is campaigning for the full turnaround facility with its Get On Board cruise campaign.