Enterprise Inns boss Ted Tuppen has rejected claims from Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg that his pubco business model is "unfair" to tenants.
Tuppen has asked for a meeting with Clegg "in pursuit of balance" following the Lib Dem leader's comments.
In a letter to Clegg, the Enterprise boss said: "I am passionate about pubs and their place at the heart of communities.
"I am also a whole-hearted believer in the fairness of the leased and tenanted system and the opportunities that it provides for talented, hardworking and committed entrepreneurs, people who may not be able or willing to buy a pub, to build a successful business in our wonderful industry."
Tuppen said Enterprise is "prepared to support deserving licensees to get through these tough times", spending £18m per year "on an entirely discretionary basis" supporting licensees.
He said Clegg's assertion that the pubco model is unfair by definition "is itself an unfair statement, which has the potential to harm our business and our relations with present and potential licensees".
Tuppen added: "Surely you owe it to my team to come and meet them and understand how our business operates.
"I know you will find that they are passionate about pubs, skilled in the business of pubs and totally committed to the success of the pubs they look after.
"Far from seeing the model as unfair, I see it at the heart of the pub industry, providing opportunity, advice and support to people who might otherwise never have a chance of running a pub."
Tuppen suggested he met the Lib Dem leader along with "senior editors of the relevant trade press".
See Tuppen's letter here.