Police have urged potential victims of sexual offences to come forward after allegations were published about billionaire businessman and West Ham co-owner David Sullivan. The 77-year-old recently quit as chairman of the east London football club to fight what he claimed were “false allegations” about his conduct.
On Monday, the BBC and The Times reported the accounts of seven women who claimed Mr Sullivan engaged in sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour. The accounts from the women date back to the 1980s and 1990s when he owned tabloid newspapers the Daily Sport and the Sunday Sport.
At the weekend Mr Sullivan said he “categorically denies” all of the claims. His lawyers said he would make no further public comment when contacted after Monday’s reports were published.
The Metropolitan Police said they were investigating a report relating to the “alleged taking of indecent images and sexual exploitation at locations in London and Essex in the 1980s”. The force said this investigation related to one alleged victim and was being led by specialist detectives from the Met’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team.
Scotland Yard said: “We take all allegations of offences against women and girls extremely seriously, no matter the length of time that has passed. We would encourage any victims of sexual offences to come forward and speak to us on 101, or 999 in an emergency.”
In a statement announcing he was stepping down as chairman of West Ham at the weekend, Mr Sullivan said: “The false allegations levelled against me have been sensationalised by the media.” A club statement confirmed his resignation, adding: “It is understood none of the allegations relate to West Ham United or any of its operations.”
