Police contacted with new information about David Sullivan following 'serious historic allegations'
The billionaire businessman has "categorically denied" allegations dating back to the 1980s and 1990s that he engaged in sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour
Thursday 11 June 2026 12:58, UK
Police have been contacted with new information after historic allegations emerged about former West Ham United joint-chair David Sullivan.
The 77-year-old businessman resigned on Saturday after he was "made aware of the impending publication of serious historic allegations" concerning him.
Essex Police said on Thursday that the force had "received some contact and inquiries into those are now under way".
On Monday, The Times and the BBC published the accounts of seven women who claimed Mr Sullivan engaged in sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour.
Mr Sullivan, who made his fortune from owning pornographic magazines and sex shops, has dismissed the allegations as "entirely false".
The accounts from the women date back to the 1980s and 1990s, when Ms Sullivan owned tabloid newspapers the Daily Sport and the Sunday Sport.
The allegations against Mr Sullivan reportedly involve him pressuring young or aspiring models in their late teens or early 20s.
The Metropolitan Police said officers 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.
When he announced his resignation from West Ham, Mr Sullivan said: "The false allegations levelled against me have been sensationalised by the media."
He continued: "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.
"I categorically deny these claims."
He said stepping down from West Ham was an "incredibly painful decision to make, but it is one made out of love, respect and responsibility toward a football club and a fan base that deserve absolute unity and focus moving forward".
His resignation came after a challenging season for the side, which saw them relegated from the Premier League last month after 14 years in the top flight.
Mr Sullivan and business partner David Gold completed their takeover of West Ham in 2010 after selling Birmingham City.
Mr Gold died in 2023, aged 86.
Mr Sullivan's net worth was estimated to be around £1.2bn in 2024, according to The Times Rich List.
