Sports Direct boss Ashley’s apology for actions
Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley has apologised for "illjudged and poorly timed" emails to the Government as new “lockdown” measures to deal with the coronavirus outbreak were announced.
The businessman was heavily criticised this week after pledging to keep his stores open, despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordering all
“non-essential” businesses and premises to shut in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19 in an address to the nation on Monday.
Mr Ashley claimed that Sports Direct was an “essential” tool in keeping the public fit while they remain at home. He later performed a U-turn and said all shops would shut.
In an open letter, shared yesterday, the majority owner of Frasers Group revealed he has offered the company's "entire fleet of lorries" to the NHS to help deliver medical supplies and equipment.
Frasers Group then came underfurtherfireasitsfinance chief wrote a letter to Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove on Wednesday, in an attempt to defend its position.
Theletterincluded:“Ourintentionswereonlytoseekclarity from the Government as to whether we should keep some of our stores open; we would never have acted against their advice.
“In hindsight, our emails to the Government were illjudgedandpoorlytimed,when they clearly had much greater pressures than ours to deal with. On top of this, our communications to our employees andthepubliconthiswaspoor.
”O utside of Frasers Group, I have offered our support to the NHS and we are poised and ready for when that offer is accepted, with our entire fleet of lorries at their disposal - to help deliver medical equipment and supplies. We will help wherever possible.”