Labour MP Joe Ashton has dismissed Sheffield Wednesday chairman Dave Richards' offer of a private meeting to clear the air over an increasingly bitter row.

Earlier on Wednesday in an open letter to Richards the politician accused the Owls' board of wanting the debt-ridden club relegated, since it would then be easier to sell.

The club dismissed this as "total nonsense" and offered Ashton a meeting behind closed doors.

The Owls' former vice-president says their response is "a disgrace and a joke".

Richards responded by inviting Ashton and three other local Labour MPs to a meeting at the club where he would "answer all of their questions".

But Ashton said Richards' response was unacceptable.

"He hasn't answered any of my questions, with the exception of whether they are looking to be relegated," he complained.

"I've asked at least 10 questions in my letter and he's only responded to one. It's a disgrace and a joke.

"I'm certainly not going to meet him in private because he will simply fudge and deny everything we are asking of him. I think it shows they've something to hide."

Richards is unwilling to become involved in a public slanging match, and will almost certainly reject Ashton's terms for a face to face meeting.

"The only way I will sit down and talk to him is if it is in front of the media, with TV cameras and radio microphones and the written press, and they can ask him the questions," said the MP.

"It's about time he had a press conference because all he is doing is hiding behind public relations statements."

Before Ashton's latest complaints Wednesday director Howard Culley had responded to the letter with a short statement.

"It beggars belief that anyone could even suggest we would be happy to be relegated. Staying in the Premiership is our priority," he insisted.

"The chairman Mr Richards has always said there is an open door at this club and that door is wide open for them."

Ashton's letter catalogues a series of "heated exchanges" he says took place between himself and Richards.

The first supposedly took place in May last year when the MP warned Richards against becoming chairman of the Premier League and deputy chairman of the FA.

Ashton says this triple role is detrimental to Wednesday.

Another matter for any potential debate is the size of Wednesday's debt, with Ashton claiming it is up to £18m.

The MP says Richards told him it was only £6.5m before the four MPs met last week with the merchant bank Charterhouse, who own a 36% stake in the club.

The letter-writing MP says the bank gave the impression that "it now anticipates relegation" and wants to protects its assets.

Ashton also questioned how a business which has turned over in excess of £50m in the past three years could be in such trouble.

Shareholders have already given Richards an ultimatum - to come up with an action plan by 21 February or face a vote of no confidence.

The club says they have nothing to hide, and that the affair is damaging the club's battle to avoid relegation.

"We want to stop media speculation once and for all. It is unsettling the players and upsetting the fans at such a crucial period," said Culley.

"This is a public company with published accounts and there is nothing here that is not within the public knowledge.