MP calls for greater scrutiny of Newcastle Utd's finances under Mike Ashley
By Kris Jepson
Chi Onwurah MP has called for greater government scrutiny of Newcastle Utd's finances under owner Mike Ashley, demanding “effective regulation” of the beautiful game.
Speaking during a Parliamentary debate on Thursday night, the Newcastle Central politician said the club was "the beating heart of our city", adding "we should be able to protect it".
She told the Sports Minister that during a "robust" meeting with Mike Ashley during Newcastle's victory over Cardiff last weekend, he "was passionate in his defence of his investments and in saying he hasn’t taken any money out of the club other than short-term funding on a temporary basis".
Watch @krisjepson's report here:
Raising her concerns in a Commons debate, Chi Onwurah said "We don’t know what income the club is generating and if that is being used on the club. What is certain is that this transfer window, like the last one, is closing without money being spent on players or training facilities... Newcastle Utd is the beating heart of our city. We should be able to protect it."
Today, she defended her decision to use parliamentary time to discuss a football club.
The MP lodged a petition raising the issue of Newcastle's finances and Mike Ashley's alleged lack of investment in parliament last summer.
In response, Mike Ashley wrote a letter to the Sports Secretary saying "The Parliamentary petition is an irresponsible and misleading attempt by a small number of MPs, to create a media circus by portraying me as a pantomime villain".
Football writer, Luke Edwards, of the Daily Telegraph told ITV News that her latest intervention may be controversial with some voters and is unlikely to have any impact.
He said "I suppose there will be people out there, who at a time of national crisis with Brexit, might wonder if it was the best use of parliamentary time, but I think it was a good thing to do".
During the debate, the sports minister said to the best of her knowledge the “Newcastle owner is complying with the rules about finance and transparency” and ITV News understands the club's accounts are independently audited.
Chi Onwurah said when she met Mike Ashley last weekend he was "passionate in his defence of his investments and in saying he hasn’t taken any money out of the club other than short-term funding on a temporary basis".