Evening Itv News 17.05.15

[Matheous-2]

Any ABrs catch the Freudian Slip made by Labour MP (lady) commenting on the Thomas Cook case where two unfortunate children were poisoned by Carbon Monoxide fumes coming from a faulty CH boiler system?
Thomas Cook apparently were paid a 3.5 million sum in compensation. Some Newspapers headlined this as 'Blood Money'....The comments made by the MP erroneously referred to the company as 'Thomas CRook' !!!

[Gavmacp]

I think this is a shocking case and the more I read about it the worse it gets. The CEO should of apologised to the family and be damned as this is would of been the right thing to do.

[mushroom25]

it's a sad state of affairs when Thomas Cook can apply for - and get- recompense in respect of "reputational damage", and this is considered more serious that the avoidable deaths of 2 children.

I trust that they will suffer further suitable "reputational damage" in the fallout from this.

[Matheous-2]

Our personal experience with many complaints we made on several different holidays to either Thomsons or Thomas Cook were all ignored bar one.
Dreadful company - this case is absolutely disgusting. TC at least should have a bi-annual H & S check on ALL the premises they 'approve' for a holiday let so that this negligence never happens again

[askyourgran]

Thomas Crook - Very good. Apart from their refusal to apologise for the children's deaths this is the most appalling thing I've read lately. From what I have read the families were made to sign clauses to stop them continuing with the case. The sum paid out to the family was paltry compared to what Thomas Cook have got out of it. I hope something can be done to recompense the family further. Boycotting the travel agency will not do much good, I believe they are ceasing to trade along with Tompson Hoildays and operating in another name soon.

[Ellipsis]

The children's deaths were the result of unlawful action by hotel employees.

A criminal trial was held in Greece in 2010. The manager of the hotel and two members of staff were found guilty of manslaughter by negligence and sentenced to seven years in jail. The trial cleared Thomas Cook of any responsibility.

I have been on many Thomas Cook holidays and always had a good-to-great time. They send millions of people on holiday and, when you consider all the things that could go wrong, it's amazing that more does not go wrong.

Thomas Cook clearly could have handled things a bit better in this tragic case, but the major fault did not lie with them - it lay with locals who broke the law.

[Old_Geezer]

It does seem to me that the court's decision has indicated Thomas Cook wasn't at fault. Although they do seem too trusting and can be criticised for not checking the hotel's word. In which case PR fails aside, they had no reason to apologise. Comparing payouts for the deaths of folk with compensation for business losses and reimbursement of costs is odious. Death of individuals will have generally agreed compensation (for want of a better phrase) since it cannot be limitless. Costs can be sky high. Until new evidence suggests otherwise this seems to be a media attempt to sell newspapers.

[mikey4444]

One aspect of all this I don't understand. If Thomas Cook were paid 3.5 £Million, why did they not make this clear years ago ? I don't go abroad anymore, but if I did, I would be thinking very carefully what holiday company I booked with, as well leaving the windows open in my holiday villa.

[ToraToraTora]

Does visiting England count as "abroad" Mikey?

[1ozzy]

Does if you don't live there TTT,,,duh,,,

[Ellipsis]

As OG says:

> Comparing payouts for the deaths of folk with compensation for business losses and reimbursement of costs is odious

Thomas Cook and the parents were each paid by the same entity - the hotel. No doubt courts, lawyers and the hotel's insurance company would have been involved in reaching both sums. Looking at one sum in relation to the other is not helpful to anybody, really, except tabloid newspapers.

[mikey4444]

Cornwall is my abroad these days TTT ! And very nice it is as well....palm trees, lovely beaches, good beer and pasties, but no time wasted at ruddy Airports. ( funny accent though ! )

[mushroom25]

//It does seem to me that the court's decision has indicated Thomas Cook wasn't at fault.//

possibly, but the coroner's inquiry did hold that TC had failed in its duty of care, implying neglect.

[Gavmacp]

They have now given 1.5 million to UNICEF as this was 'the right thing to do'. Personally I think the right thing to do was to apologise to the parents whether guilty or not!