The Isle of Wight's Labour MP has said talks will continue with government to tackle the issue of ferries, despite the resignation of Transport Secretary Louise Haigh.

Richard Quigley, MP for IW West, said Ms Haigh was "a real champion of our issues with ferries" and he is "extremely saddened" to see her go.

Ms Haigh resigned from the cabinet after it emerged she pleaded guilty to a criminal offence related to incorrectly telling police that a work mobile phone was stolen in 2013.

She has since been replaced by Swindon South MP, Heidi Alexander.

Following their election earlier this year, Mr Quigley and IW East MP Joe Robertson had both met with Ms Haigh to discuss problems with the ferries.

In July, the IW East MP (Conservative) said she appeared "genuinely receptive" to the idea of including cross-Solent operators in plans to nationalise the railways.

Even before that, Mr Quigley had been in discussions with her and also met with business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, to discuss ferries.

There were fears her resignation may mean the two MPs and campaigners have to start again in their attempts to lobby the government to take action.

In a statement to the County Press, Richard Quigley said: "I'm continuing to work with Mike Kane, the minister for maritime and aviation, who also fully understands our problems and has taken the issue up directly with the ferry operators.

"I'm extremely saddened by Louise's resignation, she was doing a fantastic job as secretary of state for transport and a real champion of our issues with ferries. 

"I wish Louise well and look forward to continuing my work with the new secretary of state".

Update (7.34pm): Joe Robertson said in a statement: "I won't be shedding a tear for the departure of Louise Haigh as Transport Secretary.

"She has done absolutely nothing to advance our reasonable request for Government intervention in Isle of Wight ferries.

"In her time as Transport Secretary she has taken the decision to pour public money into trains and busses while doing nothing for ferries.

"She decided to take trains into public ownership and announced a billion pounds of taxpayer money for buses so they are more reliable and cheaper to use.

"From her silence on ferries we can only assume she is happy with a country with nationalised and subsidised railways, subsidised buses, subsidised Scottish ferries but foreign owned, debt laden, unregulated private companies running our lifeline ferry services to the Isle of Wight, completely unchecked.

"I have written to the new Secretary of State, Heidi Alexander, welcoming her to her new role and requesting an urgent meeting."