Asda chief executive Roger Burnley and Sainsbury’s boss Mike Coupe were hauled in front of the Commons environment, food and rural affairs committee on Wednesday morning.

The pair were questioned by MPs on the ramifications of their proposed merger with particular attention paid to the consequences for staff, suppliers and customers.

They were accused by committee chair Neil Parish of orchestrating the deal for their own ends and misleading the public.

On the relationship between retailers and suppliers

Parish on the relationship between retailers and suppliers, and the increased buying power a merger would bring

“You say it’s a very cut-throat business out there. It absolutely is – and I know exactly whose throats you are going to cut.”

“Tell us the truth. Further down the road it’ll be one system. Be frank – it’ll be one system with the buying and stuff. [Not this] all largely political correctness that will disappear further down the road.”

On prices

Parish on the rationale behind being able to cut prices on essential items by 10%, which he insisted was unfounded

“These are Mickey Mouse figures. Could you please give us some reality, please?”

“We’re not children, you can’t just come in here and give us a little nursery rhyme. Let’s have some sense out of you, even if it’s not the truth.”

On the numbers

Parish attacks Coupe for his market share calculations, which did not match the committee’s

“You’re not as big in the jungle as you’ve been telling the City.”

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