THE likelihood of former Southampton liner QE2 being sold by her Arab owners increased after the man who took her to Dubai suddenly quit.

David Jackson resigned as chief executive of Dubai World investment fund Istithmar World, the first big name to go since the company revealed its struggles with a £13.5 billion debt pile last year.

His replacement is Briton Andy Watson, who is now widely expected to oversee a fire sale of its assets, including the Cunarder.

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Jackson spearheaded Istithmar’s spending spree, which included QE2, which was snapped up for £50m.

She was intended to be converted into a floating hotel at the centre of the Jumeirah Palm island complex, pictured, a vision which now looks unlikely to ever see the light of day.