Ashley settles American legal row

SPORTS Direct owner Mike Ashley has settled a US legal dispute – just one day after a New York court called on him to give evidence under international law.

Judge Andrew Borrok, of the New York Supreme Court, issued the request to the Queen’s Bench of the High Court in London for ‘compelling oral evidence for use at trial’ from Ashley. The evidence related to

Ashley’s role in his disputed deal to acquire the

$100 million (£77 million) US retail chain Eastern Outfitters.

Papers allege the deal was done in haste ‘with limited due diligence over a twoday period’ in 2017.

Vestis, which sold the company’s $17million debt to Ashley, handing him control, said Sports

Direct still owed it an additional sum.

Ashley’s representatives previously said he could not give evidence because he had left negotiations on the deal to subordinates

Howard Moher and ‘right hand man’ Justin Barnes.

A letter sent by lawyers from both sides said binding terms have now been agreed and asked the judge to discontinue proceedings.