Mike Ashley: Sports Direct owner fails to avoid grilling by MPs over controversial practices

Committee chairman, Iain Wright, said the businessman must answer questions publicly in Westminster

Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley Getty (Getty Images)

Attempts by Mike Ashley to avoid facing a public grilling by MPs over the controversial practices exposed at his Sports Direct retail empire appear to have failed.

The flamboyant billionaire had approached politicians on the Business Select Committee and invited them to Sports Direct’s Shirebrook headquarters, which also houses its warehouse.

But any hope he had of using the meeting to avoid an appearance before the committee ended when the chairman, Iain Wright, said the businessman would still be invited to answer questions publicly in Westminster.

Mr Wright, the Labour MP for Hartlepool, tweeted: “We on [the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee] still keen for Mr Ashley to come and give evidence.”

According to reports, Mr Ashley is happy to answer any questions the MPs might have, behind closed doors at his head office.

He will also show them round the warehouse, which has been exposed for essentially paying staff below the minimum wage by forcing them to undergo daily searches at the end of each shift. Sports Direct say this practice no longer takes place.

Industry insiders have suggested that the reason for Mr Ashley’s attempts to win over MPs with a private meeting is to avoid a public dressing down.