MPs were snubbed by controversial ticket reseller Viagogo, after bosses from the digital tout site backed out of appearing in front of the Westminster Culture, Media and Sport Committee at the last minute.

Earlier in the day Ed Sheeran’s manager attacked the firm for selling tickets for a Teenage Cancer Trust gala worth £75 for £2,330.

He told BBC Breakfast: “It was the outpouring of anger about that particular incident which was really just seen as people taking money from dying kids’ hands.

“That’s a charity show, we put that show on to raise funds and people are just taking advantage, and it’s something that needs to be controlled.”

The committee is investigating secondary ticketing websites – which allow the resale of tickets, often at higher prices, for a substantial cut.

Viagogo were expected to appear alongside representatives from See Tickets, and theatre producer Cameron Macintosh.

It is almost unprecedented for requests to appear at a select committee to be ignored. Last year Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley tried to weasel his way out of being grilled by the Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Committee. He appeared after MPs threatened with him with being held in contempt of Parliament.

“It is of considerable disappointment to us that Viagogo have decided not to send a representative,” said committee chairman Damian Collins. “Despite the fact that they have a substantial office in London they do not believe that they have adequate representation in the UK in order to assist the committee with its enquiries.

“Given that other companies that operate in the primary and secondary ticketing space like Live Nation [whose Ticketmaster subsidiary runs resale sites Seatwave and Get Me In] and [StubHub owner] eBay have given evidence to the committee, it is of considerable disappointment to us that Viagogo don’t feel that they have any oral evidence that they can contribute.”

Viagogo, who claim to be the “world’s largest ticket marketplace” were empty-chaired by the committee.

SNP MP John Nicolson added: “It’s always a very sad sight – and we see this very rarely – that we have to empty chair somebody because most public organisations, most private organisations, have enough respect for Parliament that when they’re asked to appear they turn up and they put their arguments.

“It says something about their lack of self-respect and the shady nature of their operations that they feel they can’t appear here and answer questions.”

The government has proposed a law to clampdown on “bots,” special software used by firms to buy large numbers of tickets as soon as they go on sale.