The British couple who were accused of leaving without paying after enjoying their meal in taverns during their recent holiday in Crete have given their version of events.
Ian and Angela McKie, who live in Liverpool and whose photos were published in an article by the Daily Mail about the events unfolding in the village of Koutouloufari in Hersonissos.
The British outlet referred to a post made by the owner of one of the taverns in question on Facebook about the behaviour of the British couple, warning other business people to be careful.
However, according to Liverpudlians, what is mentioned in the post is untrue since they complained about the food quality in a single restaurant.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Mr McKie hit back and said there was only one incident, where they quibbled over some 'badly cooked' chicken and chips for €12.
He said they complained about the meal and were threatened with jail by the restaurant manager, so they paid in cash and left.
In an exclusive interview, Mr McKie said: 'What we are being accused of it 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.'
He added: '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.'
Mr McKie, who works as an electrician, admitted that he and his wife refused to pay for part of the final meal of their holiday on 30 August at the Taverna Pithari, in the village of Koutouloufari after complaining that their chicken and chip dish was undercooked.
He said: 'The waitress asked if everything was OK with the meal, and we said the chicken and chips were undercooked.
'We then spoke to the manager, and I said we wouldn't be paying for that meal. He then said to me that if I didn't speak good Greek, I'd be spending the night in a prison cell.'
Ms McKie, 54 added: 'As soon as he mentioned the police, I stated to panic. We didn't want to get into trouble with the police so paid the bill in full.
'We were not refusing to pay the entire bill. It was the €12 for my meal.'
The couple insisted that they eventually paid the bill in full, which was 52 Euros.
Mr McKie said: 'As we were walking out of the restaurant, the manger grabbed my arm demanding that I paid.
'I told him the cash was in the payment box on the table. And as for the other restaurants, I have no idea about them. We have not been to them. If we had left without paying, why didn't they call the police?'
She said: '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.'
A storm around the couple's alleged antics erupted after an outraged member of staff at the Ariadni Apartments restaurant posted their picture on Facebook, along with message stating: 'Keep an eye on this couple. After finishing their meal, they refuse to pay the bill.
'We are third restaurant so far where they have tried this tactic. It's good restaurant owners in the village communicate with each other so we know what to expect.'
The post on the Facebook group Koutouloufari For Ever attracted more than 200 comments including many from outraged British holidaymakers and ex-pats accusing the couple of heaping shame on the UK.
One woman rushed to defend the restaurant, posting: 'Such beautiful people and place!! Shame on you.'
Another furiously posted: 'How disgusting. How could anyone do such a thing to the lovely people around the area.
'It's people like that who give us English a bad name. I see it has been shared on the posts that I am a member of. I hope they rot in hell for what they have done.
'They are probably on their way back home by now. So sorry to all those lovely people who have been affected x'
A third Brit added: 'Why can't the taverna owners join forces and bring a few hefty brothers/cousins/mates into the village as an 'encouragement' for these lowlifes to pay up, if the cops won't do anything?'.
Former Ministry of Defence worker Mark Flynn, 59, who has lived in Crete for 16 years accused the couple of 'taking advantage of the kindness of Greek people'.
