Court hears banker suing Mike Ashley told chairman 'different story'
Sports Direct chairman tells court Mr Blue said he was being paid ÂŁ1M.
A High Court has heard a finance expert who says Newcastle United owner and Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley promised him ÂŁ15m told the sportswear firm's chairman a different story.
Investment banker Jeffrey Blue says Mr Ashley promised to pay him ÂŁ15m if he used his expertise to increase Sports Direct's share price to ÂŁ8 a share during a night of heavy drinking at a London pub four years ago.
He says Mr Ashley paid only #1 million and he wants ÂŁ14m damages.
Mr Ashley denies the claim and says Mr Blue is talking ''nonsense''.
Sports Direct chairman Keith Hellawell on Monday told Mr Justice Leggatt how Mr Blue had said he was being paid ÂŁ1m.
Mr Hellawell, who was a senior policeman before he embarked on a business career, said he had a conversation with Mr Blue three years ago.
He had told me #1 million,'' said Mr Hellawell.
I was shocked when I saw the figure of 15 million.''
Mr Hellawell, a former chief constable of West Yorkshire, added: Jeff had told me 1 million''.
He went on: I was very clear on what he said in that conversation.''
Mr Ashley had told the judge that he made no ÂŁ15m share price increase agreement with Mr Blue.
He said he had paid Mr Blue #1 million for ''other deals''.
Mr Justice Leggatt started overseeing the trial last week and finished hearing from witnesses on Monday.
Lawyers are due to outline closing legal arguments on Wednesday, and the judge is expected to deliver a ruling later in the year.