Ashley dodges revolt at AGM

MIKE Ashley is facing a shareholder revolt at Sports Direct’s AGM next week, after being accused of ‘continued failures’ as chief executive.

Advisers at Institutional Shareholder Services blasted the retail tycoon for a proposed £5m payment to his daughter’s fiance Michael Murray, whom he appointed as ‘head of elevation’.

But Ashley will not be at the meeting to hear investors’ criticism, as the company said he had ‘overriding demands for his time’.