Lewis is a former England cricket captain and MCC chairman

Lewis stood down in protest after the game's governing body - the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) - decided to axe the game's commercial arm, World Snooker Enterprises (WSE).

The former England cricket captain was upset not to have been consulted over the decision which may yet result in legal action between the WPSBA and WSE.

Snooker faces legal fight

But the WPBSA has responded with claims that Lewis was unavailable for crucial meetings.

"I am amazed and disappointed that a decision of such importance for the business of World Snooker Ltd has been taken without any consultation with me whatsoever.

"I have worked constantly to make a bridge between WSE and the WPBSA Board.

"I can see no reason to question the overall commercial performance of WSE.

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"After inheriting a loss of almost �2.5m last year, the business of snooker is poised to report a significant profit for the financial year just ended.

"The management team had also managed to attract new revenues into snooker at a time when the sports sponsorship market has never been tougher.

"The management team has been successful in rebuilding relationships with broadcasters, sponsors and suppliers involved in the professional game and the result has been a period of stability within the sport.

"The plans that the team were developing for the future in order to mitigate the lack of tobacco revenue and to reform the sport, seemed to me to be both necessary and realistic and I supported them."

But the WPBSA made it clear that it was in no mood to back down.

The WPBSA stands by its actions in all respects WPBSA statement

"We have been seeking a meeting with Tony in recent days to explain the reasons behind our decision to terminate the contract with WSE," it said in a statement.

"Also, for some months we have been requesting his involvement in meetings and negotiations with WSE.

"These formal requests, conveyed through the WSE management team, were refused by the chief executive, Richard Relton.

"It is also disappointing that our non-executive chairman's resignation has been communicated in the form of a media statement. However, our invitation to meet him to discuss the issues still stands.

"We would ask our members not to be influenced by inaccurate and misleading statements being made in some quarters.