Viagogo has withdrawn from today's select committee hearing on secondary ticketing, citing ongoing legal proceedings by the CMA.
Cristopher Miller, the firm's head of business development, was due to be quizzed by MPs about the resale platform's business practices at the live music inquiry in Westminster this afternoon.
But Viagogo said it failed to receive reassurance its evidence would not be used against the company in the CMA investigation.
"We are acting on unequivocal legal advice which makes clear that attendance would jeopardise our position with respect to the ongoing legal proceedings which the CMA has initiated against us," the company said in a statement.
The firm said the move was unrelated to its lawsuit launched this week against Kilimanjaro Live and its founder Stuart Galbraith.
Today's development marks the second time Viagogo has failed to appear before MPs when requested, having no-showed last March's parliamentary hearing on ticket abuse.
MP Damian Collins, chair of the digital, culture, media and sport committee said: “We do not accept Viagogo’s arguments for failing to appear today. Mr Miller has no valid reason not to attend and answer our questions on secondary ticketing. The session does not fall within the scope of the House’s sub judice resolution, and the CMA has no objection to the session taking place. As is usual we would take great care not to discuss issues to do with the future court case.
“Consumers deserve answers to the huge volume of concerns about secondary ticketing abuse. It is hard not to view this eleventh hour withdrawal cynically. Viagogo’s non-attendance is a gross discourtesy, the more so given the company’s failure to attend last year. If Mr Miller fails to appear his place will be set out and the questions put, involving much public embarrassment, and the disappointment of consumers and users who expect answers."
Earlier this week, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) withdrew its referral of Viagogo to National Trading Standards after declaring itself "satisfied" by changes to pricing information on the resale firm's website.
