Boris Johnson urged to ‘seize assets’ of Thomas Cook bosses to compensate axed staff

MINISTERS were yesterday urged to “seize the assets” of former Thomas Cook execs to compensate axed staff.

Tory MP Rob Halfon demanded the action — saying it was a scandal directors “plundered the firm and took it to ruin”.

His call came as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps revealed plans to add 50p to plane ticket prices to cover the cost of any potential future passenger repatriations.

He said taxpayers faced a £100million bill to bring back 150,000 Cook customers.

Nearly a third are already home after the Government chartered 40 jets.

Mr Shapps said he wanted to explore ways that the next time a tour operator collapses, they can keep their planes flying long enough to bring customers back.

And speaking in the Commons, he insisted: “This has been an unprecedented response to an unprecedented situation.”

‘UNPRECEDENTED SITUATION’

Thomas Cook’s bosses shared nearly £50 million in pay and bonuses before the collapse that cost 9,000 jobs.

Boss Peter Fankhauser has got £8.4million since 2014 and predecessor Harriet Green pocketed £11million in 2014/15.

Other past execs Manny Fontenla Novoa, Frank Meysman and Michael Healey shared almost £30 million.

Mr Shapps said it was “very important to allow the correct channels to do their job” — but also pointed out the liquidator has the power to grab the money.

He added that the management played a “very large contributory part” to the firm’s downfall and insisted the Government was right not to step in with a bailout.

Mr Shapps also vowed to review insolvency laws to give customers more protection — as well as investigating claims other airlines put up prices by up to 400 per cent.

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