Mike Ashley to skip Sports Direct annual general meeting

Mr Ashley's decision as the majority shareholder to re-elect Mr Hellawell last year sparked a backlash, with 54% of independent investors voting against the move.

Sports Direct said its billionaire boss Mike Ashley would miss the upcoming annual general meeting (AGM) and it would scrap an open day for investors and journalists.

The sportswear giant said "conflicting demands" for the chief executive's time meant he could not attend the AGM on September 6 at the firm's controversial Shirebrook warehouse in Derbyshire.