Newcastle United owner refuses to apologise over Kevin Keegan departure

Under-fire Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley came out of hiding yesterday for the first time since manager Kevin Keegan left his club - but refused to apologise.

Furious fans have been demanding Ashley and executive director Dennis Wise quit after Keegan walked out last week.

But asked if he feld sad at Keegan's departure, billionaire Ashley, 43, shrugged and pulled a face.

He also refused to answer questions about a reported £125,000 bar bill he ran up at a New York nightclub at a time when Keegan was said to be in make-or-break negotiations with the club.

Ashley broke cover to attend the annual meeting of Sports Direct, part of his Sports World empire, near Mansfield, Notts. He arrived in a Rolls-Royce with blacked-out windows.