Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley's decision to appear before MPs a 'huge surprise'

Ashley wrote to the committee to say he wanted to meet after careful consideration over the weekend

Ashley wrote a letter to Wright headed "NOTHING TO HIDE" in capital letters (Getty)

Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley's decision to appear before the House of Commons came as a "huge surprise" to MPs.

Iain Wright, chairman of the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee, will lead MPs grilling Mr Ashley over accusations of "Victorian" work practices at Sports Direct when he goes before the committee on Tuesday.

Wright has admitted that Ashley's decision to appear was "a huge surprise" after Sports Direct founder said that he wouldn't attend because his lawyer wasn't available.

Mr Wright said MPs want to "get a sense of the genuine and balanced picture at Sports Direct and establish whether there are issues for the wider economy which need further examination, such as the status and rights of agency workers".

“We want to champion positive business. But when we hear about exploitation, we want to expose that. We want to shine a light on it and get rid of that in Britain," he told the Evening Standard.

Mr Ashley wrote to the committee to say he wanted to meet after careful consideration over the weekend. His assent comes after MPs discussed applying legal sanctions to force the Sports Direct founder to stand after after he initially refused.

To confirm his attendance, Mr Ashley wrote a letter to Mr Wright headed "NOTHING TO HIDE" in capital letters.

"After much reflection over the last 48 hours, I have concluded that a lengthy legal battle would be of no benefit to either of us. It would also no doubt lead to further unwarranted accusations that I am being secretive, whereas in fact I have been open and honest at every stage of this process," Mr Ashley said.

The committee meeting is the latest in a long-running dispute between Mr Ashley and MPs after an investigation revealed that Sports Direct was not paying some staff the minimum wage. Staff were subject to high levels of searching and surveillance, the investigation found, with some too afraid to take time off.

Sports Direcct has since announced a payrise for staff as well as a review of conditions for agency staff.