Ashley Formally Told To Face MPs

[ian1964 10,427]

Mike Ashley is to be ordered to face a grilling by a parliamentary committee as it escalates its stand-off with the tycoon.

 

 

 

Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley is to be formally ordered to appear before by MPs on 7 June and warned that if he does not he could face parliamentary censure.

 

The Commons Business, Innovation and Skills committee wants to quiz Mr Ashley over the treatment of workers at the sportswear giant and have said he could be in contempt of Parliament if he fails to attend.

 

Mr Ashley, who also owns Newcastle United football club, last week accused the MPs of being “deliberately antagonistic” after they called on him to agree a date to appear before them or face action.

 

Now after meeting to decide on their next course of action, the committee has decided to escalate the stand-off by ordering him to appear on a set date at Westminster.

 

A spokesman said: "At its meeting this morning, the Business Committee decided to issue a summon to Mike Ashley to give evidence to it on Tuesday 7 June 2016 at the Palace of Westminster.

 

"As indicated in the Chair's previous letter, should Mr Ashley not agree to appear on 7 June, the Committee reserves the right to take the matter further, including seeking the support of the House of Commons in respect of any complaint of contempt."

 

In the earlier letter, committee chair Iain Wright turned down an offer for the committee to meet at the company's centre in Shirebrook, Derbyshire and said Mr Ashley had not accepted any alternative dates suggested by the committee.

 

But in his reply, Mr Ashley accused the MPs of creating a "media circus" and added: "I was disgusted to learn that you have adopted a stance that is deliberately antagonistic."

 

It is thought no one has been charged with contempt of Parliament for more than 50 years.

 

Speaking in the Commons last week, the shadow leader of the house Chris Bryant said the House could "force him to attend".

 

"He may be the 22nd richest man in Britain but he is running a modern-day sweatshop and this House will get to the truth," he said.

 

Sports Direct has been the subject of sustained criticism over the use of controversial "zero hours" contracts.

 

Last December it defended the way it treats its workforce after a Guardian investigation into working conditions among its warehouse staff.

 

http://news.sky.com/story/1660250/sports-direct-boss-formally-told-to-face-mps

[Dragosani 60]

so what action does he face then if he doesn't turn up? What punishment do you get for contempt of parliament?

[stewarty 1,877]

so what action does he face then if he doesn't turn up? What punishment do you get for contempt of parliament?

 

hopefully something completely disproportionate and draconian

[MacK1950 2,231]

Hope he gets what is coming to him I am not surprised that being the UK version of Donald Trump he does not run for supreme power with his ego.

[aweebluesoandso 290]

so what action does he face then if he doesn't turn up? What punishment do you get for contempt of parliament?

 

Probably a fine and some verbal censure, but parliament won't forget it and life will become even more difficult for him. Expect HMRC to audit his various companies and such like., fat man will be bricking it either way. Karma for the fat git.

[forlanssister 3,050]

so what action does he face then if he doesn't turn up? What punishment do you get for contempt of parliament?

 

IIRC they threatened the Maxwell brothers (the bouncing Czech's sons) with detention in the Tower of London.

[boabie 230]

so what action does he face then if he doesn't turn up? What punishment do you get for contempt of parliament?

 

From wiki - MPs accused of Contempt of Parliament may be suspended or expelled.[17] They may also be committed to the clock tower under Big Ben,[17] although this practice hasn't been used since Charles Bradlaugh was detained in 1880. Strangers (those who are not members of the House) may be committed to prison during the life of the Parliament. The House of Lords has the power to fine as well as to order imprisonment for a term of years.