Former victims' commissioner Vera Baird has accused David Sullivan's Sport newspapers of using sexualised images of underage girls as 'bait for predatory men'. The criticism comes amid scrutiny of the 'Countdown to 16' feature, which during Sullivan's ownership showed models in lingerie and bikinis in the weeks before their 16th birthdays, until they could legally appear topless.
Sullivan, 77, resigned as a director and co-chair of West Ham on Saturday ahead of a joint investigation by the BBC and the Times. Seven women accused him of sexual misconduct, with three claiming he abused his power as owner of the Daily and Sunday Sport to prey on them for sex when they sought work. Four others alleged exploitative and predatory behaviour, including attempts to pressure them into sex during business meetings.
Through his lawyers, Sullivan has 'categorically' denied the allegations, which the BBC and Times said spanned decades from the 1980s. He said: '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.'
For over 15 years, the Sport titles celebrated models' 16th birthdays by showing them semi-naked. One 15-year-old model appeared with only her hands covering her chest, and the newspaper printed drawings of how readers imagined another 15-year-old topless. Baird said: 'The age rules are there to protect vulnerable children from exploitation, but this inverts that protection by using underaged girls in sexualised images, as bait for predatory men.'
The Sport maintained at the time it acted legally by not showing girls fully topless until 16. The law changed in 2004, making it illegal to show indecent images of anyone under 18. Sullivan remains West Ham's largest shareholder, but the new Independent Football Regulator (IFR) could force him to sell his 38.8% stake. An IFR spokesperson said: 'These are extremely serious allegations. We are in contact with West Ham and will use our statutory powers to seek urgent information from David Sullivan.'
Former Home Office minister Alex Davies-Jones questioned Sullivan's role in football given his business practices, adding: 'Times change and public cultures and attitudes move on but he himself has not seemed to have any contrition for his behaviour.'
