News Focus
- David Sullivan steps down as West Ham United joint chairman
- Seven women accuse him of sexual exploitation and abuse of power
- Allegations span from the 1980s to 1990s involving young models
- Sullivan denies all claims, calling them false and unfair
- Football authorities face questions over vetting processes
David Sullivan has quit his role as joint chairman of West Ham United. The 77-year-old businessman faces serious claims from seven women. They say he abused his power to pressure them into sex. Some of the women were teenagers when the alleged incidents occurred.
The claims come from a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times. They cover many decades, beginning in the 1980s. At that time, Sullivan owned the Daily and Sunday Sport newspapers. All the women were young models. They were in their late teens or early twenties. They wanted jobs at his newspapers.
The women claim he demanded sexual acts during business meetings. They say he promised to help their careers if they agreed. Some felt they had no choice. They feared he would damage their futures if they refused. Two women said they only slept with him to protect their modelling careers.
One woman, using the name Florence, shared her story. She was 20 years old in 1999. She met Sullivan at his home for a business discussion. She says he forced her to have sex even though she did not want to. She tried to stop him by saying she was on her period. She claims he continued anyway. Afterwards, he told her she would get lots of work.
Florence says the experience harmed her mental health for many years. She felt dirty and disgusting. She believed no one would trust a glamour model who made such claims. She told nobody for many years.
Sullivan strongly denies every accusation. He says the stories are completely false. He resigned just hours before the BBC Panorama and The Times published their investigation. He wants to focus on clearing his name. He calls the investigation unfair.
The investigation also found other concerning facts. Sullivan admitted he paid for sex in the 1990s. The person was 16 or 17 years old. This was legal at that time. The law changed in 2003.
Eight women have spoken to police about Sullivan. The Metropolitan Police and Essex Police both received reports. No one has ever charged him. Reporters have checked details using diary entries, police records, and interviews with friends and family.
Football bosses now face difficult questions. People want to know what the sport’s leaders knew about his behaviour. They ask how he kept his position for so long.
Tony Livesey, now a BBC presenter, worked for Sullivan’s newspaper in 1999. Florence says he introduced her to Sullivan. Livesey says he does not remember this. He feels sorry for any victim. However, he denies playing any part in wrongdoing.
Sullivan made his fortune through newspapers, adult entertainment, and football. The latest claims raise serious doubts about his conduct over many decades.