Karren Brady Remained West Ham Vice-Chair Despite David Sullivan Women's Team Ban

Baroness Karren Brady, 57, maintained her position as West Ham United's vice-chair even after becoming aware of Football Association-imposed restrictions on co-owner David Sullivan. These measures, implemented in July 2023, barred Sullivan from engaging with the club's women's and youth teams due to safeguarding concerns stemming from a historic allegation.

Brady, who worked for Sullivan for nearly four decades, including 16 years at West Ham, defended her decision to stay, stating through her lawyers that she relied on the 'presumption of innocence'. Her representatives denied any hypocrisy between her vocal support for women's rights and her continued employment under Sullivan, who has categorically denied all allegations of sexually exploitative behaviour that surfaced in a recent investigation.

Her lawyers clarified that Brady had 'no knowledge' of specific allegations prior to their public disclosure and was 'not involved in, nor did she witness... [any] of the incidents alleged'. While aware of the FA's concerns and the subsequent ban on Sullivan, they stated she was not part of the decision-making process for these restrictions. Her role, they asserted, was to 'ensure the club's established and robust safeguarding structures, procedures and necessary confidentialities were followed and respected throughout'.

Brady's departure from West Ham occurred abruptly in April, five games before the season's conclusion. She has been a member of the House of Lords since 2014.