Tony Livesey has left the BBC after 16 years at Radio 5, the corporation has announced. The 62-year-old presenter stepped down from his late-night talk show after questions arose about his previous career with former newspaper boss David Sullivan.
Background and allegations
Livesey had previously worked as editor-in-chief of Sullivan's Daily and Sunday Sport publications. Sullivan, 77, who co-owns West Ham, faces allegations that he abused his power and preyed on women for sex, in some cases when they were teenagers. Sullivan has strongly denied the allegations, which came from a joint investigation by the Times and BBC Panorama earlier this year.
One alleged victim claimed Livesey arranged a meeting between her and Sullivan in 1999. Livesey said he had "no recollection" of doing so, found the allegation "abhorrent," and rejected any suggestion he played "any role whatsoever." He added it was "not part" of his job to arrange such meetings.
Departure confirmed
An email from station controller Heidi Dawson to Radio 5 Live staff on Monday morning confirmed Livesey's decision to leave. The letter praised his contributions: "Tony has been at the heart of our coverage of every major news and sporting event for a decade and a half." It noted his awards, including an Arias gold award for conducting Dame Deborah James's last interview, and that his final Lates show grew audience figures.
Livesey joined the BBC in 2006 after leaving Sullivan's newspaper, starting on 5 Live in 2010 and becoming the star of its drivetime show. He also led the station's Brexit coverage and reporting from the Falkland Islands and RAF Akrotiri.
