AITO takes legal advice as police probe ski operator
AITO is seeking legal advice following the launch of a police investigation into alleged fraud at a Devon-based schools ski operator which had been a member of the association until it resigned earlier this year.
Devon and Cornwall police began their inquiry into Skiing Europe in March after the company cancelled several school ski holidays or forced schools to cancel at the last minute, leaving hundreds of student from across the country thousands of pounds out of pocket.
Schools in Devon, London, Berkshire, Kent, Surrey, Essex and Hertfordshire are among those affected
Skiing Europe director Chris Reynards had blamed the schools for being behind with payments, claims which they denied. Yesterday it emerged that a 70-year-old man had been arrested and was being questioned at an Exeter police station.
Skiing Europe was a member of AITO for nine months but resigned from the organisation earlier this year after senior officials visited Reynards when he allegedly alerted them to what he described as "cashflow problems".
AITO spokeswoman Sue Ockwell said the organisation had taken legal advice from a QC. Earlier this year she told a BBC Radio 4 programme AITO was prepared to fight to ensure all schools were refunded the money they had lost.
Today she added: "As well as taking legal advice, AITO is in touch with the police and awaits further news after their investigation has been completed."
Detective Constable Martin Battershill said: "This is a complex investigation involving assistance from forces around the country as well as other agencies.
"We are working to ascertain whether criminal offences have been committed in the running of Skiing Europe."
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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