Seven women have accused former West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan of predatory behaviour and offering career help for sex in claims he strongly denies
David Sullivan has been accused by seven women of using his wealth and influence to prey on young aspiring models(Image: Steven Paston/PA Wire)
Former West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan has been accused by seven women of using his wealth and influence to prey on young aspiring models. The bombshell claims were aired in the BBC’s Panorama documentary Predator: The Billionaire Football Boss.
Sullivan, 77, has strongly denied the allegations. The BBC programme investigated allegations spanning decades against the businessman. Seven women told Panorama and The Times newspaper they encountered Sullivan while trying to build careers at the Daily Sport and Sunday Sport newspapers.
The women, who were in their late teens and early twenties at the time, accused the billionaire of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour.
One woman told the programme she felt pressured into having sex with Sullivan.
Meanwhile others claimed he offered to help their careers in return for sexual favours.
The investigation also reported that Sullivan admitted paying for sex in the 1990s with a girl he believed was aged 16 or 17.
Sullivan, then in his 40s, said he believed the encounter was lawful.
It only became illegal to pay for sex with a 16 or 17-year-old in 2003.
In a statement issued before the programme aired, he said: “The false allegations levelled against me have been sensationalised by the media. I categorically deny these claims.”
The businessman, who resigned as West Ham’s joint-chairman on Saturday, also said he would “be suing the BBC for libel” and described the allegations as “factually incorrect and entirely false.”
Sullivan has been approached for comment.
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