Corfu Gas Deaths: Thomas Cook Had 'significant' Safety Shortcomings

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-34697804

A question that immediately springs to mind about this is that the deaths occurred nearly 10 years ago. What on earth has taken all this time to come to this conclusion ?

[Gromit]

In May an inquest with Jurors found that The deaths of the children were unlawful. As a result, Thomas Cook themselves commissioned an Independent review, and it is the conclusions of that review.

https://www.thomascookgroup.com/kingreview/

[mikey4444]

OK...lets rephrase the question...why was the Inquest 9 years after the deaths ?

[naomi24]

Pass.

[Gromit]

The Greek authorities were reluctant to properly investigate the deaths fearing it would harm their tourism. The parents were forced to badger them but it wasn't until 2010 that anyone was prosecuted. Thomas Cook were cleared at the trial. A couple of Labouers were convicted but appealed, and so far no one has been jailed.
After the conclusion of the Greek trial, the family were not satisfied and called for an inquest in this country which was eventually granted. However, they were denied legal aid, so again they had to lobby the Prime Minister personally to be able to put a legal case forward. The inquest in May 2015 decided the children were unlawfully killed.

[mikey4444]

My fears Gromit, is that in all that faffing around for 9 years, other children may have been in danger, in other holiday accommodation used to Thomas Cook.

But most importantly, the parents of those poor kids have been left hanging around for so long.

[Gromit]

Rather than hanging around, they have been actively and persistently perusing justice, and have got it. We should congratulate them and also thank them.

[mikey4444]

Indeed we should...But what a pity though that it has taken so long.

I can sense lawyers raking in their fees by ensuring that this issue was a strung out for as long as possible.

[Gromit]

I don't think the lawyers were at fault here. The reluctance of the Greeks to move is the reason this dragged on.