Former Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd says club owner Mike Ashley isn't to blame for the antics of Joe Kinnear.

Shepherd, who in the past has been tipped to lead a consortium to buy out Ashley, insists his successor has nothing to apologise for.

However, he feels the club could have made a big mistake in bringing back ­Kinnear above team manager Alan Pardew and chief scout Graham Carr.

"Let me make clear, Mike Ashley has done nothing wrong," he told the Daily Star.

"We may disagree with his decision to appoint a director of football, or believe he has made the wrong choice, but, as owner, he is entitled to do that.

"But Joe has alienated a lot of Geordies with what he said on the radio, not just with his insulting comments but also by getting so many facts wrong.

"It was bang out of order and he should be made to apologise because if he doesn't, his position could become untenable."