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Mike Ashley berates MPs over summons to give evidence Mike Ashley berates MPs over summons to give evidence
(35 minutes later)
Sports Direct’s founder, Mike Ashley, has accused MPs of being “deliberately antagonistic”, claiming they were abusing parliamentary procedure by trying to force him to give evidence to a committee.Sports Direct’s founder, Mike Ashley, has accused MPs of being “deliberately antagonistic”, claiming they were abusing parliamentary procedure by trying to force him to give evidence to a committee.
In a letter to Iain Wright, the chairman of the business, innovation and skills committee, Ashley said he was disgusted by the MPs’ approach. On Wednesday, the committee warned Ashley publicly that he risked being in contempt of parliament if he failed to appear.In a letter to Iain Wright, the chairman of the business, innovation and skills committee, Ashley said he was disgusted by the MPs’ approach. On Wednesday, the committee warned Ashley publicly that he risked being in contempt of parliament if he failed to appear.
Ashley wrote: “I was disgusted to learn that you have adopted a stance that is deliberately antagonistic.” He accused Wright of trying to create a “media circus” by summoning him. Ashley wrote: “I was disgusted to learn that you have adopted a stance that is deliberately antagonistic.” He accused Wright of trying to create a media circus by summoning him.
Related: Sports Direct: some tips for MPs hoping to 'grill' Mike AshleyRelated: Sports Direct: some tips for MPs hoping to 'grill' Mike Ashley
Wright wrote to Ashley saying the committee wanted to ask him about his company’s treatment of staff, enforcement of the minimum wage and the billionaire’s internal review of Sports Direct’s practices. The Guardian reported last year that workers at Sports Direct’s headquarters in Shirebrook, Derbyshire, were subjected to surveillance and lengthy searches that meant they effectively earned less than the minimum wage.Wright wrote to Ashley saying the committee wanted to ask him about his company’s treatment of staff, enforcement of the minimum wage and the billionaire’s internal review of Sports Direct’s practices. The Guardian reported last year that workers at Sports Direct’s headquarters in Shirebrook, Derbyshire, were subjected to surveillance and lengthy searches that meant they effectively earned less than the minimum wage.
The standoff is the second time Ashley has resisted attempts to make him appear before MPs. He declined an invitation to attend the Scottish affairs select committee last year, explaining he was busy on the dates suggested. Instead, the company sent its chairman, Keith Hellawell, who struggled to answer detailed questions.The standoff is the second time Ashley has resisted attempts to make him appear before MPs. He declined an invitation to attend the Scottish affairs select committee last year, explaining he was busy on the dates suggested. Instead, the company sent its chairman, Keith Hellawell, who struggled to answer detailed questions.
Ashley offered to meet the BIS committee privately at Shirebrook but Wright has declined, citing the “select committees’ commitment to transparency”. A committee spokesman said MPs would consider their response to Ashley’s letter at their meeting on 15 March.Ashley offered to meet the BIS committee privately at Shirebrook but Wright has declined, citing the “select committees’ commitment to transparency”. A committee spokesman said MPs would consider their response to Ashley’s letter at their meeting on 15 March.
In his letter, reported first in the Times, Ashley criticised the committee for failing to accept his invitation to visit Shirebrook. He said: “You are missing out on a genuine opportunity to gain a detailed and balanced understanding of the matters you wish to discuss. I believe you are abusing parliamentary procedure in an attempt to create a media circus at Westminster, which is not in the best interests of any of the people who work at Sports Direct.” In his letter, reported first in the Times, Ashley criticised the committee for failing to accept his invitation to Shirebrook. He said: “You are missing out on a genuine opportunity to gain a detailed and balanced understanding of the matters you wish to discuss. I believe you are abusing parliamentary procedure in an attempt to create a media circus at Westminster, which is not in the best interests of any of the people who work at Sports Direct.”
Ashley told Wright “all forms of the media” would be welcome to attend a meeting between him and MPs at Shirebrook.Ashley told Wright “all forms of the media” would be welcome to attend a meeting between him and MPs at Shirebrook.
It is not clear how much power select committees have to force people to give evidence. Rupert Murdoch and his son James gave evidence about phone hacking after the culture committee summonsed them in 2011. But a report the following year concluded that committees did not have the power to compel witnesses to attend. It is not clear how much power select committees have to force people to give evidence. Rupert Murdoch and his son James gave evidence about phone hacking after the culture committee summoned them in 2011. But a report the following year concluded that committees did not have the power to compel witnesses to attend.