GettyNewcastle United and Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley has been in Parliament today, answering questions about the working conditions of his staff.
Numerous allegations have been aimed at Ashley, who is attempting to provide some clarity and clear the name of his business, as MP’s question him over working conditions, pay and holidays amongst other things.
The whole thing was massively awkward, as Ashley – who very rarely speaks in public or conducts interviews – stumbled through the session and only succeeded in making himself look stupid.
When asked about cases of sexual harrassment at Sports Direct, Ashley produced this cringeworthy moment:
Ashley: "What do you call it? Sexual…Harassment?" "Simple as that fellas. Not just fellas. Girls. Sorry." pic.twitter.com/wcIGeyUQJG
— Tom Peck (@tompeck) June 7, 2016
It wasn’t the only cock up the Newcastle owner came out with though, as he also admitted he wanted to by BHS (despite being warned by his PR agent not to answer the question), and that he paid workers less than minimum wage.
As you’d expect, Twitter users went in hard on the Newcastle owner:
Mike Ashley is a proper wrong un what a horrible man the way he treats his staff is beyond belief. Utter greed.
— Tam McManus (@The_Tman10) June 7, 2016
Mike Ashley claims staff are calling ambulances "willy nilly". The culture of fear is so high a woman gave birth in the toilets.
— Rachael (@Rachael_Swindon) June 7, 2016
Mike Ashley has been clearly duped into attending with the phrase "parliamentary grilling". He's going to be feeling proper starving.
— NUFCThreatLevel (@NUFCThreatLevel) June 7, 2016
Isn’t it ironic that Ashley’s 11 biggest earners, the Newcastle United team, were the ones that let him down more than anyone else?
Now we know why he keeps a low profile, as that was utterly embarrassing for the sportswear tycoon.
