The embattled chairman of Sports Direct has narrowly been re-elected at its annual meeting of shareholders, the retailer said today.
Keith Hellawell secured 53.2% of independent shareholder votes in a ballot at the AGM, held at the firm's offices in Shirebrook.
Hellawell, a 75-year-old former police chief constable and government drugs czar, had previously pledged to step down if a majority of independent investors did not back him.
Sports Direct is controlled by founder and 61% shareholder Mike Ashley. Ashley, who did not attend the meeting, is also the firm's chief executive.
Ashley was absent due to "conflicting demands for his time in other areas of the business," the company said last month.
Sports Direct was heavily criticised last year by politicians for its treatment of workers, including paying some less than the minimum wage for shifts at its main warehouse.
Shareholders have also had to endure a slump in profits, in part caused by the weaker pound following last year's Brexit vote.
Last September 54% of the independent votes cast at the AGM opposed Hellawell's re-election.
That prompted another ballot at a special meeting in January, at which the same proportion of independent votes were lodged against Hellawell.
However, his re-election was a foregone conclusion because he had the support of Ashley.
Meanwhile, Sports Direct said today it remained optimistic on its trading outlook, reiterating its earnings guidance for the current year.
In an update ahead of today's AGM, the company said it still aimed to achieve growth in core earnings of 5%to 15% in its 2017-18 year.
Core earnings had fallen 29% in 2016-17.
Sports Direct said trading in its new format flagship stores continued to exceed its expectations.
