This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-35873396

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley 'can be ordered to give evidence' Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley 'can be ordered to give evidence'
(35 minutes later)
MPs can order the founder of Sports Direct to answer questions about how his workers are treated, the House of Commons speaker has said.MPs can order the founder of Sports Direct to answer questions about how his workers are treated, the House of Commons speaker has said.
John Bercow said the matter can be taken further by immediately assessing if Mike Ashley can be held in contempt for refusing to appear at Westminster.John Bercow said the matter can be taken further by immediately assessing if Mike Ashley can be held in contempt for refusing to appear at Westminster.
Mr Ashley branded MPs "a joke" on Monday as he said he would not attend, despite being formally summoned.Mr Ashley branded MPs "a joke" on Monday as he said he would not attend, despite being formally summoned.
A Commons committee wants to quiz him over a review of staff conditions.A Commons committee wants to quiz him over a review of staff conditions.
Updates on this story and more from DerbyshireUpdates on this story and more from Derbyshire
Mr Bercow said the committee can now take the matter further by asking the Commons to debate the case as a matter of privilege, enabling it to consider the contempt issue. Mr Bercow said the Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) select committee can now take the matter further by asking the Commons to debate the case as a matter of privilege, enabling it to consider the contempt issue.
Addressing Mr Bercow, Business, Innovation and Skills select committee chairman Iain Wright said: "I don't think scrutinising reports of Victorian-type employment conditions in modern day Britain is a joke." Addressing Mr Bercow, BIS chairman Iain Wright said: "I don't think scrutinising reports of Victorian-type employment conditions in modern day Britain is a joke."
Mr Bercow said "the House expects witnesses to obey the committee's order to attend".Mr Bercow said "the House expects witnesses to obey the committee's order to attend".
Bolsover MP Dennis Skinner warned this "could be a long, drawn-out process".
"He believes, as a billionaire, that he can do as he likes," Mr Skinner said. "I just put it on the record for you, Mr Speaker, you'd better act very firmly with the person concerned."
Mr Ashley - who also owns Newcastle United Football Club - had been asked to attend Westminster on 7 June following a BBC investigation into Sports Direct's warehouse working practices.Mr Ashley - who also owns Newcastle United Football Club - had been asked to attend Westminster on 7 June following a BBC investigation into Sports Direct's warehouse working practices.
He had unsuccessfully urged MPs to attend his firm's Derbyshire base to see conditions for themselves.He had unsuccessfully urged MPs to attend his firm's Derbyshire base to see conditions for themselves.
In a statement, Mr Wright said: "We expect Mr Ashley to attend on 7 June and to take this opportunity to respond on public record to the serious concerns regarding the treatment of workers at Sports Direct. In a statement, Mr Wright said: "We expect Mr Ashley to attend on 7 June to respond on public record to the serious concerns regarding the treatment of workers at Sports Direct.
"We are still to receive a formal response from Mr Ashley to our invitation to attend. "We are still to receive a formal response from Mr Ashley."
"Among other issues, we are keen to question Mr Ashley on the progress of the review he is leading on working practises at Sports Direct." Mr Ashley said on Monday he would not "stand idle" while Sports Direct is "subjected to public vilification".
Mr Ashley said on Monday he will not "stand idle" while Sports Direct is "subjected to public vilification". "In my opinion, they're (MPs) just showboating," he told Sky News. "In my opinion, they're actually a joke."
"The current intention is not to go, because [MPs] ought to see it for themselves," he told Sky News. He added he would love to "box the ears" of Ed Miliband - after the former Labour leader said the company was "a terrible place to work", in 2014.
"In my opinion, they're just showboating. In my opinion, they're actually a joke. In response, Mr Miliband stood by his claims and told the BBC the "downward spiral in the reputation of Sports Direct is down to the practices of Sports Direct".
"They don't care about the people, they care about the business of politics." "All of us that have drawn attention to these practices have been right to do so," he said.