Giving evidence, former Cook chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa said the reason for MyTravel merger was to give “huge presence in northern Scandinavian market”, which he still believes was the "right decision". 

He added Cook was in “great shape” two or three years after the financial crash in 2008.

However, business, energy and industrial strategy committee chair Rachel Reeves responded that "a little bit more humility and introspection about what went on wouldn’t go amiss”.

Meanwhile, Thomas Cook chief executive for two years until 2014, Harriet Green, revealed the circumstances around her leaving the company. 

Green said she was called into a meeting and told "you’re doing a great job, thank you, but we would like a person from the travel industry to take the business forward now".

Asked about expenses, she said it was necessary costs while living away from home three days a week: "In my second year I reduced my expenses by a third."