Rangers: Dave King cleared over contempt of court as Sports Direct condemned by judge

In the latest chapter of a bitter dispute that has embroiled the Ibrox club, the Sports Direct tycoon's attempt to have King found guilty of contempt was described as an abuse of process.

Mr Justice Peter Smith gave his written ruling this morning in response to allegations that King had committed contempt in an alleged breach of a gagging order.

Ashley, who is also owner of Newcastle United, had already failed in his bid to send King to prison for breaching a gagging order about the club’s dealings with Sports Direct.

The Ibrox chief faced up to 30 days in prison if found guilty.

However, Ashley's claims were thrown out at the Royal Courts of Justice in London last month.

The judge said on Friday: "These kind of muscular tactics of using a threat of committal is something which the courts should deplore. "

Meanwhile, jubilant Rangers fans took to social media to voice their delight over the judge's ruling.

Ashley and his sportswear company had claimed King was in contempt because he gave a media interview revealing the existence of a meeting and discussions related to contracts between Sports Direct and Rangers.

King stated that he had no recollection of whether or not he said the words complained of in a Sky Sports interview.

Lawyers for Ashley argued the court was entitled to draw inferences against King to the criminal standard required for an individual to be jailed for contempt.

The King-Ashley clash has turned into a legal game of two halves, with a further hearing is pending over Ashley's claims that King has breached a confidential agreement.

The legal battles, estimated to have cost some £400,000 so far, are the latest development in a conflict which started when King took over running Rangers.

The row centres on the commercial arrangements between the club and Sports Direct and its subsidiaries.