This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6114054.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Six on Corfu child death charges Six on Corfu child death charges
(about 4 hours later)
Six people have been charged with manslaughter over the deaths of two children in Corfu, Greek officials say.Six people have been charged with manslaughter over the deaths of two children in Corfu, Greek officials say.
Christianne Shepherd and her brother Robert were on holiday with their father and his partner when they were poisoned by carbon monoxide gas.Christianne Shepherd and her brother Robert were on holiday with their father and his partner when they were poisoned by carbon monoxide gas.
The authorities said a Thomas Cook official was among those charged, but the tour operator denied this. Tour firm Thomas Cook says none of its employees are among the six, but says it "will form part of the enquiry".
The six are also charged with causing bodily harm through negligence and face up to five years in jail if convicted.The six are also charged with causing bodily harm through negligence and face up to five years in jail if convicted.
Court officials said the hotel director, general manager and maintenance manager, as well as the air conditioning installation manager and a maintenance employee had been charged. Earlier, Corfu authorities had said a Thomas Cook employee was amongst those charged, but the firm denies this.
The same charges were brought against an official from British tour operator Thomas Cook, who inspected the hotel, the authorities said. Officials said the hotel director, general manager and maintenance manager, as well as the air conditioning installation manager and a maintenance employee had been charged.
At no time has the Greek police been in touch with Thomas Cook despite making it clear that we want to cooperate fully in any investigation Thomas CookAt no time has the Greek police been in touch with Thomas Cook despite making it clear that we want to cooperate fully in any investigation Thomas Cook
BBC correspondent Malcolm Brabant, in Corfu, said Greek police had not released the names of those charged due to legal restrictions.BBC correspondent Malcolm Brabant, in Corfu, said Greek police had not released the names of those charged due to legal restrictions.
The family, from Horbury, West Yorkshire, were staying in a four-star bungalow at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel when the carbon monoxide gas seeped into the property.The family, from Horbury, West Yorkshire, were staying in a four-star bungalow at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel when the carbon monoxide gas seeped into the property.
The children's father Neil Shepherd, 38, and his girlfriend, Ruth Beatson, 27, survived the poisoning last Thursday and are being treated at Pinderfields General Hospital in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.The children's father Neil Shepherd, 38, and his girlfriend, Ruth Beatson, 27, survived the poisoning last Thursday and are being treated at Pinderfields General Hospital in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
The Greek tourism ministry has already withdrawn the hotel's licence and indicated this move would be permanent if the deaths were established to be the responsibility of the management.The Greek tourism ministry has already withdrawn the hotel's licence and indicated this move would be permanent if the deaths were established to be the responsibility of the management.
Communication problemsCommunication problems
In a statement, Thomas Cook said it had not been contacted by the police or any other authority regarding the deaths. In a statement, Thomas Cook said: "We do understand that we will form part of the enquiry.
"Contrary to today's reports, Thomas Cook can categorically confirm that no charges have been issued against the company or any of its officers by Greek police or any other Greek authorities," the statement said. "Thomas Cook has always said that it wants to cooperate fully in any investigation, and we are concerned that there has been no contact with us by the police or any other authorities, despite our efforts to speak to them."
"We can also confirm that at no time during this enquiry have the police or any other authority been in touch with us."
The company said it was undertaking an internal investigation and that the hotel had been audited according to UK guidelines.The company said it was undertaking an internal investigation and that the hotel had been audited according to UK guidelines.
A British coroner earlier opened and adjourned two inquests into the deaths of the children, who were six and seven.A British coroner earlier opened and adjourned two inquests into the deaths of the children, who were six and seven.
West Yorkshire Coroner David Hinchliff promised to "fully, fairly and fearlessly" investigate the deaths of the children.West Yorkshire Coroner David Hinchliff promised to "fully, fairly and fearlessly" investigate the deaths of the children.