Sainsbury’s will not support an extension in Sunday trading, according to its former chief executive in a BBC interview on his last day with the business.

Parliament will discuss a possible relaxation of the current laws, which allow larger stores to open for only six hours of trading on Sundays, partly to protect the UK’s independent shops.

Mr King said: "We are not supportive of it. It is not a big issue for customers. The status quo is a very happy British compromise."