Thomas Cook has reiterated its support for Richard Carson and Nicola Gibson who are due to face in trial in Corfu next week in connection with the carbon monoxide poisoning of two children in October 2006.
Seven-year-old Christianne Shepherd and her brother Robert, six, were on a half-term trip with their father and his partner when they died as a result of what is believed to have been a leak from a faulty gas boiler in a holiday apartment at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel.
A Thomas Cook spokesperson said: “What happened in Corfu was a tragedy, and the thoughts of the entire Thomas Cook organisation will always be with the family and friends of Christianne and Robert Shepherd, and they have our every sympathy.
“This tragic accident happened because of a unique and unforeseeable set of circumstances, for which neither Thomas Cook nor its employees are responsible. So far as we are aware, no holidaymaker with any UK tour operator has ever lost their life from carbon monoxide poisoning from an individual external gas water heater.
“We are confident that our colleagues acted properly and should not be blamed in any way. We continue to give them our full support and believe they will be vindicated by the court.”
According to sources, there is a strong possibility the trial, scheduled for June 25, will be adjourned, and because of the way the Greek legal system operates, it is unlikely the 12 defendants will know if it is going ahead until the day it is due to commence.
An industry insider said if the trial is adjourned for six or eight months, given the number of defendants, it could easily be delayed further down the line as, under Greek law, the court must grant any defendant’s request for an adjournment.
The eyes of the travel industry have been focused on the fate of Carson and Gibson, who were both in Thomas Cook’s employ at the time of the tragedy.
Last year the then Federation of Tour Operators director-general Andy Cooper warned the case could call into question the future of the package holiday.
Meanwhile, a Facebook group has been set up to support Carson and Gibson.