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Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley accuses 'antagonistic' MPs Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley accuses 'antagonistic' MPs
(35 minutes later)
Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley has accused an MP of "abusing parliamentary procedure" after he was threatened with being in contempt of Parliament. Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley has accused MPs of being "deliberately antagonistic" after he was threatened with being in contempt of Parliament.
Mr Ashley failed to appear before a business select committee regarding working terms and conditions at the company's warehouse in Derbyshire.Mr Ashley failed to appear before a business select committee regarding working terms and conditions at the company's warehouse in Derbyshire.
However, he said Iain Wright MP had adopted a "deliberately antagonistic" stance on the matter. In a letter, he accuses MPs of "abusing parliamentary procedures" in order to "create a media circus at Westminster".
Chris Bryant MP said the House could "force" Mr Ashley to attend a meeting.Chris Bryant MP said the House could "force" Mr Ashley to attend a meeting.
The row follows a BBC investigation into the work practises at the company's warehouse in Shirebrook.The row follows a BBC investigation into the work practises at the company's warehouse in Shirebrook.
The Newcastle United FC owner was given a deadline of 21 March to respond to a letter from Mr Wright - who chairs the Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) select committee - following his no-show. The Newcastle United FC owner was given a deadline of 21 March to respond to a letter from MP Iain Wright - who chairs the Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) select committee - following his no-show.
The letter said the committee reserved the right to "take the matter further" should he not attend future dates.The letter said the committee reserved the right to "take the matter further" should he not attend future dates.
In response, Mr Ashley said: "I was disgusted to learn that you have adopted a stance that is deliberately antagonistic.In response, Mr Ashley said: "I was disgusted to learn that you have adopted a stance that is deliberately antagonistic.
"By refusing to visit Sports Direct to see things with your own eyes, you are missing out on a genuine opportunity to gain a detailed and balanced understanding of the matters you wish to discuss."By refusing to visit Sports Direct to see things with your own eyes, 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 in Westminster, which is not in the best interests of any of the people who work at Sports Direct.""I believe you are abusing parliamentary procedure in an attempt to create a media circus in Westminster, which is not in the best interests of any of the people who work at Sports Direct."
It is thought that no one has been charged with contempt of Parliament since the 1950s.It is thought that no one has been charged with contempt of Parliament since the 1950s.
Chris Bryant said in the Commons on Thursday: "[Mr Ashley] may be the 22nd richest man in Britain, but he is running a modern day sweatshop and this House will get to the truth." Mr Bryant said in the Commons on Thursday: "[Mr Ashley] may be the 22nd richest man in Britain, but he is running a modern day sweatshop and this House will get to the truth."
The committee is due to meet on Tuesday to discuss the next steps following Mr Ashley's correspondence.The committee is due to meet on Tuesday to discuss the next steps following Mr Ashley's correspondence.