Mike Ashley’s problems with accounts appear to extend beyond issues at Sports Direct International where he is CEO. Accounts for his personal company Mash Holdings for the year to 28 April 2018 should have been filed at Companies House on 25 July. The previous year’s accounts were also late in being filed, by six months, being signed off by the auditor on 5 February 2019.

Grant Thornton has already handed in its resignation as auditor of Sports Direct which leaves unanswered the question of whether it will continue in place as auditor of Ashley’s Mash Holdings. In its last annual accounts Mash Holdings said Grant Thornton had ‘expressed their willingness to continue in office’ and ‘will be deemed reappointed’.