Sir Philip Green in 'fair hearing' plea ahead of BHS grilling by MPs

Sir Philip Green has confirmed that he will attend a showdown with MPs investigating the collapse of BHS on Wednesday.

The Topshop billionaire had threatened to duck the Commons inquiry unless MP Frank Field, who heads it up, resigned from the investigation.

But in a statement issued on Tuesday, Sir Philip said: "I am disappointed not to have had a reply to either of my letters sent to Mr Field. I did not think or believe that those conducting a Parliamentary process would or should express concluded views in such a public way before I have had the chance to appear before the committee.

"Having given long and hard thought to the matter however, I have decided I will attend tomorrow morning, hoping and trusting that the committee will give me a fair hearing.

"This will be the first and only opportunity I have had to tell my side of the very sad BHS story and I will do my best to answer all the questions put to me in an honest and open way."

The tycoon was angered by comments made by Mr Field that the Business and Pensions committee would "laugh" at him if he offered anything less than £600 million to plug BHS's pension deficit.