Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean has denied accusations that his wife Margaret's "close relationship" with the Rao family contributed to the problems at Ewood Park.

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones took to Twitter to condemn the sacking of deputy chief executive Paul Hunt, who is alleged to have written a letter in December calling for Kean's sacking.

Jones tweeted: "Disgraceful sacking of Hunt. On 22 Dec he indicated to me the problem at Rovers was the close relationship between Mrs Desai and Mrs Kean."

When asked about his wife's relationship with the club's owners, Kean told The Independent: "We've been over once to India and they made myself and my wife feel very welcome; that's the kind of people they are. From a personal point of view, I've got a good relationship with the owners and I can speak with them direct."

Meanwhile, Venky's have claimed that they will not sell the newly-relegated club.