Mike Ashley cancels hearing with MPs

The Commons Business, Innovation and Skills committee said it wants to question Ashley over his company’s treatment of employees, with the hearing set down for 7 June.

It has previously said he could be in contempt of Parliament if he fails to attend.

Ashley, who is also the owner of Newcastle United, said in a letter dated 2 June that he is unable to attend because of the unavailability of his lawyer Richard Gordon QC.

He said Gordon “cannot change that obligation”.

“Obviously he should be present if I was to attend. That means I will not be able to attend to give evidence on 7 June, even if my remaining questions are answered by then,” Ashley wrote.

Sports Direct and its employment relations practices came into the spotlight late last year, when an investigation by the Guardian alleged mistreatment of workers at its Shirebrook warehouse.

Since then, the firm has claimed to be paying all staff and agency workers the national minimum wage, and has pledged to pay all aged over 25 the national living wage plus 20p - or £7.40 an hour.

Chair of the committee, Ian Wright MP, has expressed his disappointment at Ashley’s cancellation less than a week out from the hearing, having indicated his availability back in March.

“We are very disappointed by this eleventh-hour notification, having given him a notice period of three months to make the necessary arrangements,” Wright was quoted as saying by Sky News.

“Does Mr Ashley, owning and operating a business in a parliamentary democracy, see himself as being beyond such public scrutiny?”