TRADE union leader Manuel Cortes is today demanding that ministers and business leaders be scrutinised in Parliament for their role in the collapse of travel company Thomas Cook.

The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association general secretary will meet Commons business committee chair Rachel Reeves this afternoon to discuss the scandal.

He is expected to demand that Ms Reeves haul Thomas Cook CEO Peter Fankhauser in front of the committee to justify the company’s closure, which has cost 9,000 jobs.

He will also say that ministers such as Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom must be properly scrutinised for their failure to save the company.

Mr Cortes said: “Everything points to negligence on the part of this Tory government and Leadsom in particular.

“She has admitted failing to hold a single meeting with Thomas Cook bosses in the days leading to the collapse.

“There are other questions to answer about how much the government knew about possible financial assistance from European governments.

“Thomas Cook staff, our members and tens of thousands of holidaymakers must have answers.”