UK couple on holiday in Greece deny walking out of three restaurants without paying

A British couple who were accused by locals in Crete of walking out of three restaurants without paying have insisted they did no such thing.

The pair had their faces splashed across social media in a warning to local restaurant owners, but according to them they didn't do anything wrong.

Now, we are all aware of the way Brits abroad are branded by the rest of the world, we’re a certain kind of breed and we’re proud of it.

But walking out of restaurants without paying - that’s a whole new ball game, and certainly one we’re not proud to be associated with.

Angela and Ian McKie, from Liverpool, have been holidaying on the Greek Island of Crete in the village of Koutouloufari.

Vasilis Caravitis on Unsplash

The pair have been accused of tucking into their food at three different restaurants, complaining loudly about it for the whole place to hear, and then walking out without paying.

Speaking with the MailOnline, Ian defended himself and his wife, stating that this only happened on one occasion, over some badly cooked chicken and chips, but he settled the situation by paying with cash, after the restaurant manager threatened them with jail.

The Liverpudlian husband said: “What we are being accused of is simply not true.

“It is a little village with one road of shops, bars and tavernas.

“It would be impossible to leave one restaurant without paying, never mind three because everyone knows each other.

"We were flying home the next day and they'd have never let us on the flight.

"There is not one ounce of truth in what they are claiming.”

The couple did admit to attempting to refuse to pay the money for only his meal, which was €12, but said he 'panicked' when the manager mentioned prison.

Matthieu Oger on Unsplash

Ian said: “As soon as he mentioned the police, I started to panic.

“We didn't want to get into trouble with the police so paid the bill in full (€52).

“We were not refusing to pay the entire bill, it was the €12 for my meal.”

Angela added: “We love Crete and have been going there for 35 years.

“The people are lovely.

“Since we've returned home, I have had messages for people in Greece saying don't come back and that we are not welcome.

“It is so unfair as we have done nothing wrong.”

LADbible Group has contacted local police for a comment on the matter.

Topics: Travel, Viral, UK News

Mia Williams

Mia is a freelance writer for LADBible, and an award-winning trainee journalist at the UK’s No.1 journalism school, News Associates.

@mia_francessca