Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley tells judge: 'I like to get drunk'
The Sports Direct boss tells the High Court he is a "power drinker" as he defends a 拢14m damages action by an investment banker.
Thursday 6 July 2017 12:14, UK
Mike Ashley has told a High Court judge he likes to get drunk, describing himself as a "power drinker".
The Sports Direct boss and Newcastle United owner made the comments as he gave evidence for a second day in a case brought against him by an investment banker.
It relates to an alleged business pact made at a London pub, the Horse & Groom, in 2013 during a night of heavy drinking.
Jeffrey Blue is claiming £14m in damages, saying the tycoon paid only £1m of £15m he promised if he used his expertise to increase Sports Direct's share price to £8 a share.
The tycoon had already described the claims as "nonsense" - referring to Mr Blue as "that liar" in his previous evidence - adding he never made big business decisions in pubs and the £1m he received was a bonus for previous work.
He was asked on Thursday, by a lawyer representing Mr Blue, how much Mr Ashley had drunk during their encounter four years ago.
Mr Ashley calculated that within an hour he would have drunk four to five pints.
He told the court: "It was a fun evening - drinking at pace," he said. "I like to get drunk. I am a power drinker."
Mr Ashley went on: "My thing is not to drink regularly. It is binge-drinking. I am trying to get drunk."
When asked how much Mr Blue had drunk he replied: "He would never have been able to keep up. He's a
lightweight when it comes to drinking."
He had earlier been asked more about his business interests, telling the court he had "never taken a penny out of Sports Direct - salary or otherwise," saying he subsidised the company.
He also touched on his role at Newcastle United, saying: "They are really not interested in my opinion."