Normally bosses are cheered by their staff for rousing speeches or else announcing a decent Christmas bonus.

Not so Mike Ashley. The owner of Sports Direct was given a round of applause for allegedly triumphantly vomiting in a fireplace after winning a company drinking contest that involved downing 12 pints of lager, each one accompanied by a vodka “chaser”.

The astonishing way of doing business is laid bare in a High Court witness statement as part of a £14 million claim against the tycoon. Mr Ashley is being sued by Jeffrey Blue, an investment banker, who alleges Mr Ashley reneged on a deal – made in a pub – to pay him £15 million if the Sports Direct share price doubled within three years. In the event, Mr Blue was paid £1 million.