Seven women accuse West Ham chairman David Sullivan of sexual exploitation in BBC Panorama investigation

Seven women have come forward to accuse West Ham United’s former joint chairman David Sullivan of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour, according to a BBC Panorama investigation conducted jointly with The Times.

The women allege Sullivan abused his position of power when they were young models seeking work at the Daily and Sunday Sport, the tabloid newspapers he ran. One woman, identified in the programme as Florence, says she felt pressured into having sex with Sullivan against her will. A second former model alleges he directly propositioned her for sex. Sullivan categorically denies all of the allegations.

The Panorama documentary, titled Predator: The Billionaire Football Boss, follows Sullivan’s resignation as joint chairman and director of West Ham United on 6 June, which he said he made with immediate effect. In a statement, Sullivan described the decision as “incredibly painful” but said it was made “out of love, respect, and responsibility toward a football club and a fan base that deserve absolute unity and focus moving forward.”

Sullivan framed his departure as a tactical step to focus on contesting what he insists are false claims. “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,” he said.

He also attacked the editorial process behind the investigation, saying he believed it had been “fundamentally unfair and completely lacking in any due impartiality,” and that the allegations had been “sensationalised by the media.” Sullivan confirmed he intends to pursue legal action, stating: “I will be suing the BBC for libel, along with any other media outlet that repeats any libellous allegations.”

Sullivan added that none of the allegations relate to his more than three decades involved in football, and that he is stepping down specifically to “apply my full energy and attention on fighting these false allegations.”