Brit gran who complained about ‘too many Spanish’ at her Benidorm hotel slammed by locals saying she’s doing it for compo
Freda Jackson, 81, demanded a refund for her Thomas Cook holiday after claiming she was left in tears because it was teeming with 'rude' Spanish natives
FURIOUS locals have accused a Brit gran of a cynical bid to claim compensation after she said her Benidorm holiday was ruined by the presence of Spaniards.
Freda Jackson, 81, demanded a refund for her Thomas Cook holiday after claiming she was left in tears because it was teeming with "rude" Spanish natives.
The OAP from Blackburn, Lancs, had said: "The hotel was full of Spanish holidaymakers and they really got on our nerves because they were just so rude.
"One evening a Spanish guy nearly knocked me flying and he just walked off without even apologising.
"The entertainment in the hotel was all focused and catered for the Spanish - why can't the Spanish go somewhere else for their holidays?"
However, her comments have sparked outrage in Spain, with thousands claiming it was a cynical ploy to cash in.
Antonio 'Toni' Mayor Suarez, President of the Benidorm Hoteliers Association, told The Sun Online: "Surely this tourist was looking for their tour operator to return the money for their holiday, reflective of the 'culture of claim' that we see, with some claims as inappropriate as the one described by this tourist.
"Eradicating the 'culture of claim' among the British is something very difficult and something that should be done through cultural and educational context in the United Kingdom.
"Its legal system of claims has allowed these types of abuses to occur, the biggest example we suffered two years ago with the thousands of fraudulent claims for food poisoning that flooded Spanish hotels.
"It would be necessary to review the whole system of claims so that only those that are true and those that have involved damage are admitted."
Scores of everyday Spaniards have also waded into the debate - echoing Antonio's accusations.
Martin Esteban said: "I would like to remind Mrs. Jackson, that Benidorm is Spain, if she is not happy that she stays in her country, as well as the people of her country who come to get drunk."
Rosa Humanes said: "These English do not know what to do to have free vacations", adding that now the "bargain of gastroenteritis has run out" they make "bulls***" new claims.
Lucia Garcia Sanchez posted: "You have to read between the lines. What she wants is for vacations to (be) free."
The hotel itself said that Jackson had only made one complaint, and this was about the location of her room, which was changed at her request.
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Freda has since been offered compensation of £566 from Thomas Cook due to an error informing her about a change to her flights.
A Thomas Cook spokesperson told The Sun Online: "Due to a system error Ms Jackson was not informed of a change to her flights until six days before departure.
"We have offered Ms Jackson and her travel companion a gesture of goodwill to try and put things right which we hope she will accept."
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