AN MP has called for a police inquiry into alleged intimidation in Hampshire by the Unite trade union against Grangemouth oil refinery boss Jim Ratcliffe.

Priti Patel, Conservative MP for Witham, in Essex, has written to chief constable Andy Marsh regarding reported incidents involving the union's ''leverage team''.

She has asked him to investigate reports that it staged mass protests outside the Lymington Town sailing club, where Mr Ratcliffe is a member, as well as The Pig hotel in Brockenhurst, which he owns, and a restaurant he has invested in.

''Not only did they target Mr Ratcliffe's business interests, but they also caused considerable concern to members of the public. I understand that the police were informed of this at the time,'' she wrote.

''Given the public interest in this case, I would be very grateful if you could investigate this as a matter of urgency.''

The MP has also written to police chiefs in Scotland called for an investigation into similar claims about protests at the homes of other senior staff at Ineos, which owns Grangemouth.

Last month Ineos announced it was closing a petrochemical plant at the site, which is also home to an oil refinery, amid claims of losses of £10million a month after union members voted against cuts to pay and pensions.

But the plant was saved after Unite leaders climbed down and agreed to the package.