The embattled chairman of British retailer Sports Direct survived a vote to oust him by a slim margin, after he said he would resign if a majority of independent shareholders voted against him for a third time.

Sports Direct's under fire chairman Keith Hellawell has escaped a full-blown investor revolt after the majority of independent shareholders backed his re-election.

Mike Ashley's Sports Direct has been accused of reneging on a promise to offer guaranteed hours to staff on zero hour contracts in a fresh blow to the company ahead of its annual meeting.

In the tumultuous year since Mike Ashley returned as chief executive of Sports Direct, the UK retail tycoon has stepped up his deal-making, snapping up everything from a lingerie brand to US sellers of outdoor gear.