David Sullivan Resigns West Ham Chairmanship Amidst Sexual Misconduct Allegations from Seven Women
Billionaire businessman David Sullivan, co-owner of West Ham United, has resigned as the club's joint chairman after multiple women accused him of abusing his position to prey on them for sex. The accusations, stemming from a joint investigation by *Panorama* and *The Times*, detail alleged conduct over decades, starting in the 1980s. All seven women were in their late teens or early twenties, seeking modelling work at Sullivan's *Daily* and *Sunday Sport* newspapers.
Allegations of Exploitation and Abuse of Power
The women describe sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour, including being pressured for sex during business meetings with promises of career advancement. One woman, identified as Florence, stated she felt compelled to have sex with Sullivan despite her unwillingness. Sullivan, aged 77, "categorically" denies the claims, which cover the period when he accumulated wealth from pornography, newspapers, and football interests. He resigned hours before the investigation's publication, citing a need to focus on fighting what he termed "fundamentally unfair" and "false" allegations.
Separately, Sullivan has admitted paying for sex in the 1990s with a girl he claims he believed was 16 or 17 years old. Paying for sex with a 16 or 17-year-old became illegal in the UK in 2003.
Several women described feeling they had no alternative but to comply to avoid jeopardising their modelling careers. One former model alleged that when she attempted to leave a meeting after Sullivan propositioned her, the door was locked, and she was only permitted to exit after raising her voice.
Reporters have corroborated aspects of the accounts through diary entries, police records, and interviews with friends and family. Eight women have made disclosures about Sullivan's conduct to the Met or Essex Police, though he was never charged. Essex Police recently reviewed several cases, concluding there was insufficient evidence for criminal charges, though one police chief noted a "missed opportunity" in failing to search Sullivan's property for supporting evidence in one case.
Football Authorities Face Scrutiny
The investigation raises questions for football authorities regarding their awareness of Sullivan's behaviour. The Football Association initiated a safeguarding investigation into Sullivan in recent years, stating it takes all allegations seriously but cannot comment on individual cases. West Ham, which last year received accreditation from White Ribbon UK for efforts to combat male violence against women, stated it has robust safeguarding measures and cannot comment on individual matters.
Baroness Karren Brady, who recently stepped down as West Ham's vice-chair, had previously stated the club was "committed to creating a culture where harmful behaviour is called out."
In his resignation statement, Sullivan claimed that after a lifetime in the adult industry, it was "inevitable that a small number of improper conduct claims are being made against me." He described these as "false" and announced intentions to sue *Panorama* and *The Times*.
