AMERICAN misgivings continue to cloud the future of P&O and its Dover-based ferry operations despite a legal go-ahead to the proposed £3.92 billion takeover by Dubai Ports World.

A judge in London paved the way for the company, owned by the United Arab Emirates government, to complete its controversial £3.92 billion takeover.

But there could still be a delay if Miami-based company Eller, which has links with P&O, is allowed to challenge the ruling in the Court of Appeal.

DPP’s proposed takeover of P&O has provoked hostility in the United States about Arab ownership of terminals at six US ports linked to P&O.

Hilary Clinton, wife of the former president Bill Clinton, has been particularly vocal in her opposition.

She and other politicians fear that the DPP move would allow Islamic terrorists to infiltrate the country.