THE prospect of a full parliamentary investigation into the business practices of influential Rangers shareholder Mike Ashley is expected to move closer this week when MPs from two Commons committees meet ex-workers from one of the billionaire businessman's companies.

 

Last week, MPs expressed their concern at what they called the "despicable" and "appalling" treatment of more than 200 people from the USC clothing distribution depot at Dundonald in Ayrshire, who lost their jobs last month with no financial compensation when the firm collapsed. USC was owned by Sports Direct, one of Mr Ashley's companies. Most of it has since been bought by Republic, another of the businessman's firms.

The Scottish Affairs Committee is to launch an inquiry into USC and it is almost certain that Mr Ashley, who owns Newcastle FC, will be called to give evidence. Any such request would legally oblige him to attend the parliamentary session.

Brian Donohoe, the local MP for Dundonald, who secured last week's debate, explained that USC's entire workforce, many of whom were said to be on zero hours contracts, had been asked to attend a meeting tomorrow at his Central Ayrshire constituency office in Irvine to give members of the Commons Scottish Affairs and Business Committees first-hand accounts of their treatment.

The Labour backbencher explained that the MPs would be listening to the workers to "use the feedback to press for a full parliamentary investigation into Ashley's activities".

"We can't allow someone to operate in this way," declared Mr Donohoe. "These people were thrown on to the scrapheap without the pay they were due, without the bonus they were promised and not a penny in redundancy money. The taxpayer has been left to pick up the bill."

"There are many questions to be answered about how the business has been run, about the administration process and about the total lack of consultation with staff and Government officials."

The MP said the meeting would give ex-employees at USC a chance to speak up openly about their experiences.

The USC row erupted as Rangers fans criticised those in charge at the club after it was announced that the board had agreed a £10m emergency loan deal with Mr Ashley's Sports Direct firm.

The money will be secured against the club's training ground, office buildings, the Albion car park in Ibrox and the registered trademarks.

During the Commons debate, Mr Donohoe, Secretary of Westminster's Rangers Supporters Club, told MPs it was "really wrong that this individual is allowed anywhere close" to the Glasgow football club, adding that he hoped the Scottish Football Association would "get to the bottom of it and don't allow him any further into the club's business".

Mr Ashely did not respond to a request for comment.