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Woman told to cover up on Thomas Cook flight defends outfit: 'You should be able to show your body in whatever way you deem appropriate'

A 21-year-old woman who was shamed for her outfit after boarding a Thomas Cook Airlines flight has defended her choice of clothing.

Emily O’Connor was flying to Tenerife from Birmingham Airport with Thomas Cook Airlines when she was apprehended by a member of staff.

Wearing a black crop top and high-waisted trousers, Ms O’Connor was told when she boarded the flight: “Excuse me madam, you’re not dressed appropriately and you’re not complying with our code.”

She was then subjected to abuse by a male passenger, who called her a “pathetic woman” and directed her to “put a f***ing jacket on”.

O’Connor told The Independent that the incident was “the worst experience of my life”.

Speaking with Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on This Morning, Ms O’Connor said: “It was a point of principle.

“I wasn’t wearing a jacket to flaunt or to make a point. I wasn’t wearing a jacket because I was hot, which is what I said to them as I got on the plane,” she said.

Ms O’Connor also made the point that there was a man sitting a few rows away from her wearing a vest top and shorts, but that staff did not apprehend him about his attire.

Ms O’Connor said that people should be able to show their body “in whatever way you deem appropriate”.

A spokesperson for Thomas Cook said: “We are sorry that we upset Ms O’Connor. It’s clear we could have handled the situation better.

“In common with most airlines we have an appropriate clothing policy. This applies equally to men and women of all ages without discrimination.

“Our crews have the difficult task of implementing that policy and don’t always get it right.”