Seven women have made allegations of sexual exploitative and predatory behaviour against West Ham co-owner David Sullivan.
The claims have been made in a joint investigation by BBC’s Panorama and The Times, and relate to historic allegations dating back to the 1980s and 1990s. Before they were published, Mr Sullivan, the former West Ham Football Club co-chairman, denied all allegations, calling them “factually incorrect and entirely false”.
The claims were made by women who were young models seeking work at Mr Sullivan’s Daily Sport and Sunday Sport newspapers. They include one who claimed Mr Sullivan asked her for sex, promising to make her one of “my regular girls” in the newspaper. The account has been called “implausible” by Mr Sullivan’s lawyers.
Another woman claimed she was scouted on the street by a female agent who then directed her to Mr Sullivan and told her to “just go in there and just do what he says”. Other women claimed Mr Sullivan attempted to pressure them in exchange for work at his newspapers.
On Monday evening, the Met Police said it was investigating a report relating to the “alleged taking of indecent images and sexual exploitation at locations in London and Essex in the 1980s”. The force said this investigation related to one alleged victim.
open image in galleryOn Saturday, Mr Sullivan confirmed he will step down as chairman of West Ham with immediate effect to fight “false allegations” about his private life after 16 years at the helm.
“I have recently become aware that factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life are due to be broadcast and published,” he said in a statement. “The false allegations levelled against me have been sensationalised by the media. After a lifetime spent building businesses in the adult industry in which I have met thousands of women, it is sadly inevitable that a small number of improper conduct claims are being made against me. I categorically deny these claims.
“I am a private man, and those who personally and professionally know the real David Sullivan, not the caricature invented by the tabloids, know exactly who I am and what I stand for. I am absolutely not the person the media has decided to paint me as.
“I have not been provided with any proper explanation as to how these individuals or their claims were independently verified or assessed for credibility prior to publication. I believe that the entire process has been fundamentally unfair and completely lacking in any due impartiality. I will be suing the BBC for libel, along with any other media outlet that repeats any libelous allegations.
“None of these allegations relate to my more than 30 years in football. West Ham United has been one of the greatest passions and privileges of my life. I care deeply about the club, its supporters, its players, its staff and its future. At what is already a challenging and important time for the club, I refuse to allow personal matters concerning me to become an unnecessary distraction or a source of instability.
“Therefore, after very careful consideration and with a heavy heart, I have decided to resign as joint-chair and director of West Ham United FC with immediate effect. This has been an incredibly painful decision to make, but it is one made out of love, respect and responsibility toward a football club and a fan base that deserve absolute unity and focus moving forward.
“I am stepping down to apply my full energy and attention on fighting these false allegations. I have officially engaged my legal team and we are preparing to issue legal proceedings in respect of each and every false complaint that has been made against me. I will be seeking full redress, legally and publicly, on every single front.”
The BBC said the findings were a result of “a joint investigation by Panorama and The Times newspaper into the behaviour of David Sullivan, who has announced he is stepping down as co-chair and director of West Ham United Football Club. Over decades, he has made millions from pornography, newspapers and football”.
Mr Sullivan first took over West Ham with his business partner David Gold in January 2010. His tenure oversaw the unpopular move from Upton Park to the former Olympic Stadium in 2016, the focus of numerous anti-board protests among club supporters. Mr Sullivan’s net worth was estimated to be around £1.2billion in 2024, according to The Times Rich List.
On its investigation, A Met spokesperson said: “We take all allegations of offences against women and girls extremely seriously, no matter the length of time that has passed. As with all cases, any information or evidence provided to police will be assessed and the appropriate enquiries carried out.”
West Ham United and Mr Sullivan’s representatives have been contacted for comment.