Mike Ashley defiant at MPs grilling him on House of Fraser takeover

Mike Ashley has appeared in front of the Housing and Local Government Select Committee to discuss the ailing retail sector today. In sometimes combative exchanges with MPs he called for a new tax on online retailers as part of a radical change he says is needed to save the high street. The Sports Direct founder said any retailer that makes more than 20% of its sales online should be subject to an additional tax. He said this would encourage businesses like Sports Direct to open more stores rather than increasingly shifting to digital sales channels. 'It's not House of Fraser's fault, it's not Marks & Spencer's fault, it's not Debenhams's fault the high street is dying,' Mr Ashley said. 'The internet is killing the high street.' The businessman, who has expanded his high street empire this year with the acquisitions of House of Fraser and Evans Cycles, warned most high streets will not survive until 2030. Original Article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/artic... Original Video: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/news... Daily Mail Facebook:   / dailymail   Daily Mail IG:   / dailymail   Daily Mail Snap:   / 8392137033   Daily Mail Twitter:   / mailonline   Daily Mail Pinterest: http://pinterest.co.uk/dailymail Daily Mail Google+: https://plus.google.com/+DailyMail Get the free Daily Mail mobile app: http://dailymail.co.uk/mobile