Sports Direct's Mike Ashley hits back at 'antagonistic' MPs over contempt threat

Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley has accused MPs of “abusing Parliamentary procedure” after they warned him over his refusal to answer questions about the retailer’s employment practices in Westminster.

The billionaire mogul, who also owns Newcastle United, was responding to a letter from Iain Wright MP, chairman of the influential Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee, in which he was told he risked being in contempt of parliament if he failed to agree to a suggested date for a hearing before lawmakers.

Ashley, who had previously invited the committee to Sports Direct's Derbyshire premises, said he was “disgusted” by their “deliberately antagonistic” approach in a letter made public on Friday.

“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,” he wrote.

Wright’s letter revealed that the committee had offered Ashley a selection of dates for a possible hearing, which follows years of criticism of the retailer over its use of zero-hours contracts and more recent allegations about harsh conditions imposed on warehouse staff.