Mike Ashley further tarnished his reputation after trying to thwart the UK government’s lockdown orders on non-essential businesses this past Monday.
After receiving immense backlash over the past few days, Ashley has issued an apology of sorts in an open letter. The Sports Direct Twitter account has tweeted it in full.
An open apology from our CEO Mike Ashley pic.twitter.com/q76uCq4btN
— Sports Direct (@SportsDirectUK) March 27, 2020
Here is the apology in full since it is hard to read in the above tweet:
“Given what has taken place over the last few days, I thought it was necessary to address and apologise for much of what has been reported across various media outlets regarding my personal actions and those of the Frasers Group business.
“Our intentions were only to seek clarity from the government as to whether we should keep some of our stores open. We would never have acted against their advice. In hindsight, our emails to the government were ill-judged and poorly timed, when they clearly had much greater pressures than ours to deal with. On top of this our communications to our employees and the public on this was poor.
“There has been no dress rehearsal for what we as a nation are currently tackling, and I for one am immensely proud of how our Government, our NHS & all of our key workers have handled the situation so far. I would especially like to thank my Frasers Group employees, who have stood by the business in difficult times and are doing so currently. We are working very hard to save our business, so that we can continue to be one of the biggest employers on the UK high street once this pandemic has past.
“Outside of Frasers Group, I have offered our support to the NHS and we are poised and ready for when that offer is accepted, with our entire fleet of lorries at their disposal – to deliver medical equipment and supplies. This offer is not limited to the NHS but all key workforces across the Government. We will help wherever possible.
“Finally to reiterate, I am deeply apologetic about the misunderstandings of the last few days. We will learn from this and will try not to make the same mistakes in the future.
“I strongly encourage everyone to follow the Government’s advice, stay safe and healthy through these challenging times, not least my employees.”
While this is a belated action and likely a self-servicing one, we are glad that Ashley will use parts of his empire to assist with the coronavirus crisis the world is facing.
However, this apology rings a bit hollow as we don’t believe that his actions were born out of a misunderstanding. He knew what he was doing when he put his business before the safety of his employees and the general public.
He has taken the right step in issuing this apology and using his resources to assist the general public. Hopefully, he has learned something from this situation and can grow as a person.
We have our doubts that this leopard will ever change his spots. However, the time is ripe for Mike Ashley to do just that. Whether he will finally heed the call, unfortunately, is not very likely.
23 comments so far
The Sheikh'sMate
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:05 AM
Comment #1Aye… Is this fat boy squirming in his own shoite?
geordiemark
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:10 AM
Comment #2oii scumbag cesspit garbage sewer dweller stick your letter up your arse
Ron Knee
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:11 AM
Comment #3The Beatles
Abbey Road zebra crossing repainted in coronavirus lockdown
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/mar/27/abbey-road-crossing-repainted-coronavirus-lockdown-beatles-album
lesh
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:18 AM
Comment #4Magscar, Dondatta
When talking about the possibility of Robert Johnson’s recordings having a speed problem, it’s worth considering that the recording device that cut the record into a master disc, was essentially mechanical.
It is therefore possible that the platter on which the blank disc sat, or could have been running slow. The shellac discs being designed to run at 78rpm would therefore have produced a record which sounded faster than the original.
Just a thought
Dondatta13
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:19 AM
Comment #5If he had of released such a letter earlier in this crisis, there wouldn’t of been people panic buying toilet roll. This letter is a perfect substitute!
AncientC
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:20 AM
Comment #6A truly heartfelt letter from Mash—I wonder who actually wrote it.
“Just sign here (…), Mike”.
Ashley probably would have been better just ‘saying’ nothing and owning it. The tail between the legs routine will only add fuel to the blaze.
hibbit
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:21 AM
Comment #7just read Ashley’s letter in full and what a sniffling shitbag he is, he knows he’s committed financial suicide and is desperately trying to retrieve the situation ,
but this time i think he’s just gone a step to far,
lesh
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:22 AM
Comment #8Magscar, Dondatta
Meant to post this link
https://www.wired.com/2017/05/american-epic-return-of-the-lathe/
The Epic sessions set’s interesting and the sound quality really shows how much recording technology’s moved on.
AncientC
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:23 AM
Comment #9You have to appreciate how Ashley shares the blame around, using terminology like “we” and “our”. Slippery as ever.
hibbit
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:24 AM
Comment #10maybe this could help !!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x8D4T–0v4
AncientC
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:26 AM
Comment #11Cue Jib to pop up with a ‘moderate’ interpretation of this letter. Yup, probably somebody else dropped a bollick.
Dondatta13
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:27 AM
Comment #12Magscar, lesh….
All very very interesting this Robert Johnson thing.
All i know is when I listen to the slowed down versions, his voice sounds so natural and the whole thing no longer makes my teeth itch lol. I finally get it, Much more palatable (for me).
Also the fable about selling his soul to the Devil at the crossroads. It would certainly make his guitar riffs and licks much harder to recreate and seem other worldly/supernatural if it was speeded up!
Love it
lesh
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:27 AM
Comment #13Ashley’s not out of it yet – he’s got to deal with the small matter of conditions at Shirebrook.
lesh
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:28 AM
Comment #14Dondatta
See @4 and 8… if you’ve missed them
lesh
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:31 AM
Comment #15Ancient
You’re right of course – the “we” and “our” reflect a corporate rather than a personal apology.
Ron Knee
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:34 AM
Comment #16Dondatta
Have you got a link?
Dondatta13
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:35 AM
Comment #17lesh, thanks for the link. I’m just waiting for the coffee to brew then I will kick back and have a read. Thanks, i’m looking forward to it,
Dondatta13
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:37 AM
Comment #18I do Ron Ron Ron, I do Ron Ron….
Sorry, I couldn’t resist lol
Ron Knee
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:40 AM
Comment #19Is this what you meant:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5j69yoRgvg
Jib
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:43 AM
Comment #20I always thought Cream’s version of Crossroads live
at the Filmore was faster than normal
I always put it down to Eric’s consumption of vast amounts
of horse at the time.
Maybe they knew something about the original recording and
enhanced theirs
Dondatta13
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:50 AM
Comment #21Ron@19…
That’s what I was referring to!
Someone kindly adjusted a number of his songs here….
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqqAasxT-gbedDMhdI5xG8QqE3gDosJeA
As a side note, take a look in the background (just behind the guitar headstock… quite a ghoulish spectre looming there?
magscar
Mar 27, 2020 at 10:52 AM
Comment #22Geordie Tom
last thread
sorry been sidetracked here with family calls etc. and nearly missed your response.
From what you say it woud seem a phone or video call could well suffice as is happening in other NHS settings . Hopefully you may be contacted as appointment approaches as consultants will presumably be dealing on a first appointments firt the looking furtehr weeks ahead
My wife is under different consultants and we have appointments for next month and month after but am not yet concerning myself with whether or not they will proceed but which i doubt
stay strong
IrishRob
Mar 27, 2020 at 1:11 PM
Comment #23We should talk about Clapton more on here, hes my absolute idol. I’ve been obsessed for 25 years. When he passes on hopefully in the far future I’ll do a pilgrimage to Ripley.