A group of MPs investigating working conditions at Sports Direct are to discuss applying sanctions on Mike Ashley after the retailer’s billionaire founder said he would defy a parliamentary summons to appearbefore the select committee. The move, which could include the tycoon being found in contempt of parliament or facing a Commons vote on whether he is a “fit and proper” person to be running a business, comes after Ashley wrote to MPs on the Business, Innovation and Skills committee on Thursday saying he would not be attending next week’s sessions. Having previously said he would be able to attend on the condition that the committee visited the group’s warehouse the day before, Ashley reversed his position when MPs declined the invitation, saying his lawyer, Richard Gordon QC, was unavailable...In his latest letter to MPs, Ashley questioned the independence of the committee, citing £7,219.98 of support given last year to Wright’s local constituency party by the union Unite, which has been leading a campaign highlighting the working conditions at Sports Direct.