MP accuses Sports Direct of hiding a camera in a tray of sandwiches

An MP has accused Sports Direct of hiding a camera in a tray of sandwiches to record a private meeting.

The accusation came after six MPs from the business select committee made a surprise visit to the controversial Shirebrook warehouse.

They spent the afternoon at the site in Derbyshire, to follow up on their inquiry into working practices at the company.

Redcar MP Anna Turley, who was on the visit, said: "We had a positive tour around, we got to speak to a lot of the workforce and we got to see a lot of people who were very positive about the brand.

"Then at the end of the meeting we sat down to have a private conversation in a room by ourselves, a lady came in with some sandwiches - which was very kind - and I saw her put a recording device on the floor.

"When she left the room I went over to pick it up and there it was: a camera and a recording device. Very disappointing."

The sporting goods retailer has been under fire from unions, investors and politicians over its treatment of workers and corporate structure.

It is understood Sports Direct was only told about the visit when members of the committee were on their way - and that chief executive Mike Ashley was not on site.

Mr Ashley, who took over the role as chief executive after long-term aide Dave Forsey resigned at the end of September, has pledged to put right all the issues of concern within the business.

The retailer made a commitment to hold an independent review into its corporate governance and working conditions around the same time as Mr Forsey's departure from the company.

That followed a bruising AGM which also left Mr Ashley red-faced after he pulled out wads of personal cash, in £50 notes, from his pockets during a security check.

The climbdown followed months of pressure from City institutions concerned about a slump in Sports Direct's share price and the extent of Mr Ashley's control.

Sports Direct has already announced new safeguards to combat allegations of Victorian workhouse conditions - including the bullying of staff and aggressive rules - at the Shirebrook warehouse.

The visit by members of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee followed a row with Mr Ashley who had once made his appearance before their inquiry conditional on a site visit.

The billionaire tycoon, who also owns Newcastle United, has blamed bad publicity from the outcry over Sports Direct's troubles as a reason for a wobble in sales.

More recently, it has warned on the effects of the weak pound on its profits.