Grant Thornton resigns as Sports Direct auditor

Sports Direct has confirmed that its auditor Grant Thornton does not intend to seek reappointment for its role when its term expires in September. According to a statement from Mike Ashley’s business, Grant Thornton informed Sports Direct of its decision on 13 August, the same day it published its annual report and accounts. Grant Thornton’s decision follows an intense period for Sports Direct that saw it delay publication of its annual results. The first delay, announced on 15 July, was due to its takeover of House of Fraser and increased regulatory scrutiny of auditors and audits including the FRC review of Grant Thornton’s audit of the financial statements of Sports Direct for the period ended 29 April 2018, Sports Direct said at the time. The second publication date of its results on 26 July was then subject to further delays on the day due to a last minute £605m tax bill from the Belgian Tax Authority. To send feedback, e-mail louise.dransfield@egi.co.uk or tweet @DransfieldL or @estatesgazette