Ed Sheeran promoter sued by Viagogo for alleged fraud

Ticketing site alleges Kilimanjaro Live pocketed 'millions of pounds in duplicate sales'

Ed Sheeran has been ranked among the highest earning celebrities in the world (PA)

Viagogo has announced it is suing Ed Sheeran's promoter over alleged fraud.

The controversial ticket resale company said it has issued legal proceedings against Kilimanjaro Live over the promoter's decision to cancel thousands of tickets to Sheeran's shows, which were purchased through Viagogo.

According to the BBC, Viagogo claims that tickets purchased through the site were stamped as void and customers were allegedly told to buy another ticket and request a refund from Viagogo, with Kilimanjaro Live consequently “pocketing millions of pounds in duplicate sales”.

A spokesman said all tickets on Viagogo were authentic and claimed that “a comprehensive file of incontrovertible photographic and filmed evidence” would be presented to court, backed by “hundreds” of supportive witness statements.

Kilimanjaro Live's chief executive Stuart Galbraith told the Guardian that he was not aware of any legal proceedings. Sheeran and his team have been vocal critics of secondary ticketing sites and their tactic of taking thousands of tickets and reselling them for well above their face value.

Viagogo said it filed its claim in a German court ahead of its questioning by MPs on the Commons digital, culture, media and sport select committee over its business practices, on Wednesday 4 September.

The company's senior executive Christopher Miller is set to be grilled over alleged breaches of consumer law, which prompted legal action against Viagogo by the Competition and Markets Authority.

The Independent has contacted a representative for Ed Sheeran for additional comment.