MPs surprise Sports Direct with Shirebrook warehouse visit

MPs (BSE: MPSLTD.BO - news) from the business select committee have made a surprise visit to Sports Direct's controversial Shirebrook warehouse, the company has told Sky News.

Six MPs will spend the afternoon at the site in Derbyshire to follow up on their inquiry into working practices at the company.

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.

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

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.