RAFA Benitez could not resist the advances of billionaire tycoon Mike Ashley, but the MP for Hartlepool has proven to be a much tougher nut to crack.

A parliamentary committee last night rejected an offer from the Sports Direct boss to visit the firm's headquarters by helicopter. They have insisted he has to give evidence next month on the back of an investigation into working practices at the firm's main warehouse, based in Derbyshire.

Mr Ashley, who also owns Newcastle United, said he would meet MPs only if they travelled to the Sports Direct base first.

The boss of Britain’s largest sportswear chain has repeatedly refused to attend the meetings in the past and at one stage said the MPs involved were "a joke".

The stand-off has been typical of Mr Ashley who revels in his reputation as a maverick who cocks-a-snook at the accepted way of doing things. This has helped to make him one of Britain's richest men, but concerns have also been raised about the way he treats some workers.

An investigation last year by The Guardian revealed alarming stories, such as warehouse staff at Britain’s largest sportswear chain being subjected to an extraordinary regime of searches and surveillance.

Undercover reporters also found evidence that thousands of Mr Ashley's staff were receiving hourly rates of pay below the minimum wage.

The businessman clearly has a case to answer and we applaud Labour MP Iain Wright, chair of the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee, for digging in his heels.

It is commonplace for business leaders to appear before select committees in Westminster, without imposing conditions.

"This is part and parcel of living and operating a business in a parliamentary democracy," said Mr Wright, the member for Hartlepool.

By persuading Rafa Benitez to continue as Newcastle manager Mr Ashley helped to buff up his reputation on Tyneside.

Coming clean to MPs.