MPs pay surprise visit to Sports Direct’s Shirebrook warehouse
MPs have made a surprise visit to Sports Direct's Shirebrook warehouse to take a look at how the retailer is progressing with improvements to its working practices.
The Telegraph has reported that Iain Wright MP, chair of the business, energy and industrial strategy committee, which led an inquiry into Sports Direct earlier this year, gave the firm an hour's notice before arriving at the warehouse in Derbyshire.
The select committee blasted Sports Direct and its founder Mike Ashley after its investigation revealed working practices at the Shirebrook plant that MPs said were similar to those of a "Victorian workhouse".
Read more: Four of the most jaw-dropping working practices at Sports Direct
Ashley had previously invited MPs to visit the warehouse, an invitation that the committee accepted in July, when the politicians said they hoped it represented "the start of a constructive dialogue, in which we will receive regular updates on Mr Ashley's review".
"We said that we would make an unannounced trip and monitor the progress," Wright said today. "I want to make sure that it's not all smelling of fresh paint and we get a real impression of the company."
The company has been contacted for comment.
Shares in Sports Direct were up 4.23 per cent at pixel time.
