Sports Direct chief executive Dave Forsey has been charged with a criminal offence in relation to the collapse of its fashion arm USC earlier this year.

USC has been bought by Republic

Forsey is accused of failing to tell the authorities of plans to lay off warehouse staff in Scotland.

USC was put into administration earlier this year before being bought out by Republic.com, itself a Sports Direct business.

About 200 USC staff at its Ayrshire warehouse were given just 15 minutes’ notice before losing their jobs. In March MPs slammed Sports Direct for its conduct over the incident.

According to The Guardian, Forsey is due to appear at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court next Wednesday having been sent a summons in July.

The hearing was initially listed for August 15 but was adjourned “in the absence of the parties”, the Insolvency Service said.

“We can confirm that criminal proceedings have been commenced against David Michael Forsey,” a statement from the Insolvency Service said.

“He is charged with an offence contrary to section 194 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.

“The investigation into the conduct of the directors is ongoing. The inquiries are at an early stage and given the criminal proceedings it is not possible nor would it be appropriate to comment any further.”

A Sports Direct spokesman declined to comment when contacted by Retail Week.