Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley has invited MPs and the media to visit the company’s head office to observe its business practices with particular regards to its treatment of staff.

The move comes after Mr Ashley failed to appear before a business select committee on working conditions at the company’s warehouse.

Labour MP and Chairman of the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee Iain Wright had warned Mr Ashley over continuing to fail to agree a date when he would answer MPs questions on the issues.

In response, Mr Ashley said: "I was disgusted to learn that you have adopted a stance that is deliberately antagonistic.

"By refusing to visit Sports Direct to see things with your own eyes, you are missing out on a genuine opportunity to gain a detailed and balanced understanding of the matters you wish to discuss.

"I believe you are abusing parliamentary procedure in an attempt to create a media circus in Westminster, which is not in the best interests of any of the people who work at Sports Direct."