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Warning: This article contains descriptions of alleged sexual misconduct and explicit language.
Billionaire faces accusations from seven women spanning decades
David Sullivan, the 77-year-old co-owner of West Ham United, has stepped down as joint chairman following allegations of sexual exploitation and predatory behavior toward young women seeking modeling careers at his newspapers. A joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times uncovered claims from seven women, all of whom were in their late teens or early twenties at the time of the alleged incidents, dating back to the 1980s.
The allegations
The women accuse Sullivan of leveraging his power in the glamour modeling industry to pressure them into sexual acts, often under the guise of career advancement. One woman, identified as Florence, described feeling coerced into sex during a business meeting at Sullivan's home in 1999. She recalled Sullivan telling her she would become one of his newspapers' "regular girls" if she complied. When she resisted, citing her period, she said Sullivan responded by lifting his pinky finger and saying, "It's all right, I'll only put it in a little bit."
Florence, now reflecting on the encounter, said she dissociated during the incident and believes a "massive power imbalance" left her unable to refuse. She later received modeling work from Sullivan's publications but described the experience as degrading, contributing to long-term mental health struggles. Sullivan's lawyers dismissed her account as "implausible."
"He took away my innocence... I was very suicidal for many years."
Florence, alleged victim
Patterns of alleged predatory behavior
Multiple women described feeling trapped during meetings with Sullivan, with some alleging he locked doors to prevent their escape. Mia, another accuser, said Sullivan gave her £50 after sex, despite no prior discussion of payment, which she interpreted as an attempt to discredit her. Rebecca, who met Sullivan in 1998, said an agent instructed her to "just do what he says" to secure modeling work. She described Sullivan as preying on vulnerable women, including those with neurodivergent conditions or histories of trauma.
Two women, Anna and Wendy, said they attended meetings with Sullivan accompanied by their mothers in the 1980s and 1990s. Both accused him of pressuring them for sex, with Anna recalling Sullivan propositioning her for oral sex while her mother was in the same room. Wendy said Sullivan derided her appearance before telling her she needed to sleep with him to succeed in the industry.
Sullivan's response and legal history
Sullivan, who amassed wealth through pornography, newspapers, and football, "categorically" denied all allegations in a statement released hours before the investigation's publication. He resigned from West Ham on Saturday, vowing to fight what he called "false, decades-old allegations." Sullivan also admitted to paying for sex with a 16- or 17-year-old in the 1990s, though such transactions only became illegal in 2003.
Essex Police reviewed multiple allegations against Sullivan but found insufficient evidence to press charges. In one case, a victim's request for a review upheld the original decision, though a police chief acknowledged a "missed opportunity" in failing to search Sullivan's property. The force stated it takes violence against women "very seriously."
Football authorities under scrutiny
The allegations raise questions about what football regulators knew about Sullivan's conduct. The Football Association (FA) previously launched a safeguarding investigation into Sullivan but declined to comment on individual cases. West Ham, which received White Ribbon UK accreditation for combating male violence against women, stated it has "robust safeguarding measures" but cannot discuss individual matters.
Sullivan's resignation statement framed the allegations as inevitable given his decades in the adult industry, where he claimed to have met "thousands of women." He denied the accusations, calling them a media distortion, and announced plans to sue the BBC.
Industry reactions and broader implications
Former associates defended Sullivan, with one describing his prolific sex life as "well-known." However, modeling agents told reporters they warned young women about Sullivan or refused to send models to him due to his "casting couch" reputation. The investigation also highlights the vulnerability of young women entering the glamour modeling industry, with many accusers describing Sullivan as a gatekeeper to success.
White Ribbon UK clarified that its accreditation for West Ham focused on organizational improvements, not endorsements of individuals. Baroness Karren Brady, who worked with Sullivan for decades, resigned from her West Ham vice-chair role last month.
